Beach soccer national team veteran, Isiaka Olawale has urged the Super Sand Eagles current set of players to put aside thoughts of neglect by Nigeria Football Fedration (NFF), in order for them to excel at the 2018 Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.
Olawale suggested in a chat with sports247.ng that, instead of the players to keep talking about their late camping for the competition and lack of allowances, they should be self-motivated to succeed.
He added that he was happy to see the team secure a place in the last four of the competition, following Monday’s 4-2 win over Tanzania, but said their target must be on winning the cup.
Olawale further noted that the players have toiled to bring honour to the country in recovering from their opening loss to Senegal, and is now backing them to pick a ticket to the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.
While dismissing suggestions that he did not make the team due to loss of form, Olawale said his absence in Egypt is because of a situation that was beyond him and the other older players.
“I am not with them, not because I am not good enough, but due to few issues that were beyond me.
“However, that does not stop me from supporting them and praying for them. They have done well so far.
“I want them to keep fighting hard. They should forget about welfare issues for now, or bonuses and all that. Let them win the cup first.”
