The acting general-secretary of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme is staying upbeat about the chances of the Super Sand Eagles qualifying for this year’s Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations, based on what he referred to as their ‘drawn match’ in Kaduna.
Sports247 reports that, following acknowledgement by the match referee from Morocco that playing extra time and penalties after the 3-3 end to the game’s normal regulation minutes was an error, Ikpeme enthused that the Nigerian squad will pick the ticket in Ghana.
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The NFF’s acting scribe stressed that, contrary to initial reports, both sides are heading into the reverse fixture on level terms, hence his verdict that the Super Sand Eagles will overcome all odds in Ghana and push the Black Sharks aside in order to secure a spot at the 2026 BSAFCON.
Ikpeme conceded that beach soccer is tough to prosecute and still alien to Nigeria on a competitive level, but promised to personally put in all effort during his tenure in order to give the country something to cherish from the game played on sand.
He emphasised that, with Saturday’s game at Murtala Mohammed Square in Kaduna having ended in a 3-3 draw, there was still hope of the Super Sand Eagles securing a spot at the continental championship billed for next month in Dakar, Senegal.
“Fortunately, it was a drawn match. We are going there on a clean slate. I have spoken to the players, and they have given me their word that when they go to Ghana, they will do that which nobody expects. The fighting spirit, commitment will be there.
“I have absolute confidence in these players. If they go there and show up with the right verve, vivacity and enthusiasm, there is no way we won’t qualify for the Beach Soccer AFCON. I am positive that they will turn around the table,” Ikpeme affirmed.
Sports247 reports further that Ikpeme also recalled how Mauritania stopped Nigeria from making it to the last BSAFCON after defeating the Sand Eagles during the first leg in Kaduna, but submitted that last Saturday’s draw brings hope of a different outcome this weekend in Ghana.
