Super Sand Eagles Intensify Preparations for Ghana Beach Soccer AFCON Qualifier
Nigeria’s Super Sand Eagles have stepped up preparations in Kaduna ahead of their Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations qualifying clash against Ghana, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.
The national team is currently camping in the Kaduna capital, where the players are undergoing intensive training sessions at the Murtala Mohammed Square Sports Complex in preparation for the two-legged encounter against their West African neighbours.
President of the African Beach Soccer Union (ABSU) and National Coordinator of Nigeria Beach Soccer, Mahmud Hadejia, visited the team and officials in camp, commending the Kaduna State Government for its continued support for beach soccer.
Hadejia particularly praised Governor Uba Sani for hosting the Super Four Finals last week before subsequently making the facilities available for the Super Sand Eagles’ training camp.
According to him, Kaduna boasts one of the best facilities for beach soccer in Africa, making the state an important location for Nigeria’s preparations and the upcoming qualifier.
He also acknowledged the support of the National Sports Commission (NSC) and Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for taking the national team to Kaduna, describing the arrangement as part of a programme developed in collaboration with the state government.
As part of his visit, Hadejia also provided financial assistance to the players as additional motivation ahead of the crucial qualifying tie.
He was accompanied by several beach soccer stakeholders, including Engineer Musa Nimrod, alongside officials of the Kaduna State Ministry of Sports Development led by Permanent Secretary Mrs Dorcas Benjamin Tanko and the Governor’s Senior Special Assistant on Sports, Muhammad Amin Mahmood.
Nimrod described Kaduna as a home for major beach sports competitions and disclosed that improvement works were ongoing on the playing surface to ensure the facility meets Confederation of African Football (CAF) standards.
The Kaduna State Ministry of Sports Development also assured the team of a smooth camping programme, with the state government committing the necessary support to the Super Sand Eagles.
Tanko further disclosed that the state government, working with the Ministry of Sports Development, would mobilise supporters to turn out and back Nigeria during the first-leg encounter.
The first leg is scheduled to take place in Kaduna on October 10, with the Super Sand Eagles seeking a positive result before the return fixture against Ghana.
Speaking on behalf of the team, head coach Abdullahi Isa expressed appreciation to the Kaduna State Government for its support and the favourable conditions provided for the squad.
Isa said the players were highly motivated and adapting well to the Kaduna weather, while expressing confidence that Nigeria can overcome Ghana over the two legs and secure qualification for the Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations in Senegal later this year.
Comments
This article has 0 comment(s) , give your comment