Nigeria’s beach soccer national team, Super Sand Eagles head coach, Abdullahi Isa has reeled out huge benefits of his squad’s upcoming friendlies versus Senegal, with a view that it not only serves as a good preparation ahead of their clash with Ghana but also an opportunity to renew friendships.
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Sports247 reports that, while speaking ahead of the first encounter billed for Saturday evening in Kaduna, Isa, who is also an assistant coach in the under-17 team, Golden Eaglets, thanked Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for arranging the matches.
Isa disclosed that he has a long standing friendship with the Senegalese team’s coach and their captain, both whom he looks forward to meeting once again on the sidelines of both friendlies, which serve as build up to next weekend’s qualifier against Ghana.
The Sand Eagles will tango their Ghanaian rivals across two legs, next Saturday in Kaduna and the following weekend in Accra, with eyes on a ticket to this year’s the Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations (BSAFCON 2026) billed to hold in Senegal.
With his aspirations firmly focused on taking Nigeria to BSAFCON 2026, Isa affirmed that playing friendlies against the host nation, who are also defending champions and record winners of the competition, will help his side prepare to battle the Black Sharks of Ghana.
He also thanked Senegal’s football federation for accepting the invitation to play in The City of Crocodiles, considering the record African champions’ pedigree as a strong squad and will provide quality opposition for the Sand Eagles.
“Playing against the defending and record champions is a good test match for Nigeria. Historically, the games are important. We have met Senegal several times. They have beaten us and we have also beaten them.
“The matches provide an opportunity to reunite with old friends, including Senegal head coach, Med Jean Sylla and captain, Al Seyni Ndiaye. These matches will also help the Sand Eagles’ preparations in a big way.
“I want to thank the NFF for the commendable initiative and appreciate Team Senegal for turning up,” Isa said ahead of the first game, starting 5pm on Saturday at Murtala Muhammed Square in Kaduna, while the second begins 9am on Monday at same venue.
Sports247 gathered further that the Nigerian squad comprises Victor Tale, Nuhu Aiki, Godwin Tale, Taiwo Adams, Hamza Isa, Emmanuel Ohwoferia, Clement Eganosi, Godspower Igudia, Dozie Frank, Stanley Ekwe, Ekene Obi and Hassan Abdullahi.
