Nigeria’s Beach Soccer National Team, the Sand Eagles, have completed their arrival in Kaduna camp as all 20 invited players join preparations for next month’s CAF Beach Soccer AFCON qualifying clash against Ghana’s Black Sharks, Bold Sports reports.
The players are now training at the Murtala Muhammed Square Sports Complex, where the team has spent the past week working on tactical and technical drills. Coach Christopher Kadiri is overseeing the sessions, with head coach Abdullahi Isa currently away with the U17 Boys National Team, Golden Eaglets, ahead of the WAFU-B U17 Championship in Ouagadougou next month.
Sand Eagles step up preparations for Ghana
The Sand Eagles are preparing for a two-legged qualifying battle with Ghana, with Nigeria set to host the Black Sharks in Kaduna on Saturday, October 10. The return fixture will take place in Accra one week later, on Saturday, October 17, as both teams compete for a place at the CAF Beach Soccer AFCON finals in Senegal.
Nigeria returned to the international beach soccer scene two years ago after several years away from the competition. However, the Sand Eagles fell short in their previous qualifying campaign after Mauritania eliminated them on the away-goal rule for the CAF Beach Soccer AFCON hosted by Seychelles.
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The upcoming meeting with Ghana now gives Nigeria another opportunity to return to the continental tournament. The winner of the two-legged contest will secure a place at this year’s CAF Beach Soccer AFCON finals, scheduled to take place in Senegal from October 7 to 15.
NFF seeks friendly matches with Senegal
As part of the Sand Eagles’ preparations, the Nigeria Football Federation has approached the Fédération Sénegalaise de Football over the possibility of arranging friendly matches between both teams. The proposed games would provide further preparation for Nigeria before the double-header against Ghana.
With all 20 invited players now in Kaduna, the Sand Eagles can continue their preparations with the full group ahead of the first meeting with the Black Sharks. The team will be aiming to use its time in camp to sharpen its tactical approach before the crucial qualifying fixtures.
Sand Eagles players in Kaduna camp
Goalkeepers: Godwin Tale (Kada BSC); Nuhu Noma Aiki (Kebbi BSC); Olalekan Oladipo (Kada BSC)
Defenders: Victor Tale (Kada BSC); Taiwo Adams (Kebbi BSC); Emmanuel Ohwoferia (Kebbi BSC); Clement Eganosi (Anambra BSC); Effiong Eyo (Ibom BSC); Chinweze Gabriel (Anambra BSC)
Forwards: Dozie Frank (Kada BSC); Stanley Ekwe (Anambra BSC); Tanko Emmanuel (Kada BSC); Ekene Obi (Kebbi BSC); Hassan Abubakar (Niger BSC); Sadiq Umar (Kebbi BSC); Kazeem Oyewunmi (Igbogbo BSC); Hassan Abdullahi (Kebbi BSC); Godspower Igudia (Edo BSC); Hamza Bagudu (Jigawa BSC); Hamza Isa (Kebbi BSC)
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