Super Sand Eagles romp into CAF Beach Soccer final, qualify for FIFA event

The Super Sand Eagles on Saturday Lagos qualified for the final match of the CAF Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations 2016 in an emphatic fashion by beating Morocco 6-1.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Nigerian national team, in the match played at Eko Atlantic City, dominated the game from the first blast of the whistle.

The match however had the Secretary General of FIFA Fatma Samoura on stand together with the Chairman of Lagos State Sport Commission (LSSC) Deji Tinubu and Lagos State FA Chairman, Seyi Akinwunmi.

The Eagles showed more determination and resilience than in their last Group A game against Ghana which ended 4-3.

Azeez Abu had given his team the lead in the first period, but Morocco drew level in the second period, before Emmanuel Ohwoferia restored Nigeria’s lead.

The Super Sand Eagles however scored four more goals through Suleiman Ogodo, Ogbonna Emeka and Abu (twice) to put the game out of the reach of the Moroccans.

Abu emerged the match’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) with his offensive play which helped so much to keep the North Africans at bay.

The win also helped the Nigerian side secure a ticket to the 2017 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Bahamas.

Nigeria’s defender Victor Tale said the win was a big relief, and the team could now prepare to win the final to give their supporters the competition’s trophy on Sunday.

“The win actually should be a morale-booster for us to win the cup again for Nigeria.

“Now, we fear no foe. So, Nigerians should pray for us to win the final which is the ultimate,’’ he said.

NAN reports that Nigeria will now meet on Sunday Senegal who defeated Egypt 5-2 in the first semi-final match of the competition.

NAN reports also that the competition’s semi-final matches had the General Secretary of FIFA, Fatma Samoura, in attendance.