Super-Sand Eagles Head to Nouakchott for Beach Soccer AFCON Qualifier.
After a five-year hiatus from international competition, Nigeria’s Super-Sand Eagles are set to depart for Nouakchott on Friday morning to face Mauritania in the 2024 Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match. The match, scheduled for Saturday, marks the first leg of the two-leg fixture.
The match will be officiated by Egyptian referees, with Hany Farouk El-Sayed Eleraky as the main referee, Ahmed Mohamed Elwan Nofal as Referee 2, Ibrahim El-Sayed Mahgoub as Referee 3, and Khaled Mohamed Elewa serving as the timekeeper. Moroccan El Mansouri Taha will act as the commissioner.
The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has appointed Abdullahi Isa, a veteran goalkeeper and former assistant coach, as the new Head Coach of the Super-Sand Eagles. He will be supported by Assistant Coach Christopher Kadiri and Goalkeepers’ Trainer Bashar Samaila.
The squad features experienced players such as Victor Tale and Emeka Ogbonna, along with Arome Isah, Adams Taiwo, Emmanuel Ohwoferia, Godwin Tale, Egan-Osi Ekujimi, Chidozie Frank, and Hassan Abdullahi.
The return leg of the fixture is scheduled for Saturday, 27th July, in Nigeria.
Following the disappointing FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Paraguay 2019, which led to the NFF’s decision to withdraw the team from international play, the sport has been kept alive domestically by a group of enthusiasts led by Mallam Mahmoud Hadejia. Their efforts have included the annual Nigeria Beach Soccer League and various tournaments, ensuring the sport’s continued growth and popularity in Nigeria.
