The 2024 Nigeria Beach Soccer League (NBSL) Super 4 got underway at the Murtala Muhammed Square, Kaduna with two games on Thursday.
How it happened
Two goals each from Hassan Abdullahi and Fuwad Badmus helped Kebbi BSC to a 6-2 win over rivals Kebbi United BSC.
Captain Ekene Obi and Manga Hamza also scored for Kebbi Fishers while Usman Muhammad and Monday Joseph reduced the deficit for the second team from Kebbi State in the league.
In the second match, Anambra Beach Soccer Warriors edged host, Kada BSC 5-4.
Emeka Ogbonna who is ranked as one of the top 50 best beach soccer players by Beach Soccer Worldwide (BSWW) scored three goals for Nnewi based side.
The team’s top goal scorer Ekwo Stanley and Clement Eganosi also scored for Anambra BSW.
For Kada BSC, a brace from consecutive league top goal scorer, Dozie Frank and one each from Victor Tale and Tanko Emmanuel were not enough to prevent a loss for the host team.
Matchday two of the Super 4 will take place on Friday with the two teams which secured victories on opening matchday facing each other.
Title holders and Africa’s top ranked beach soccer team, Kebbi BSC are up against Anambra BSW in the first match
On the other hand, Kada BSC will hope to bounce back against Kebbi United BSC after both sides lost their first game of the Super 4.
What they said
“We have had the first games of the tournament. Everybody is happy to see beach soccer come back to this level. Most importantly, we have to thank the Kaduna State Government for hosting us and for giving us this excellent facility. I am also happy because I understand that the State will be camping the Super Sand Eagles hopefully for the game against Mauritania will be played here. It has been fun all the way.
“I am not in the Technical Crew. Good players I have seen here. I am hoping to see them when the technical crew release the list. Good players that can hold their own. Mauritania will see us.
“The Sand Eagles coaches will be unveiled tomorrow (Friday) by the grace of God and we are expecting the list by the end of this tournament on Sunday and the players will move straight to camp thanks to the Kaduna State government for hosting us.” – Honorable Nse Essien (Chairman NFF Committee on Futsal and beach soccer)
“What I saw today was exciting although I came in late from the State Executive Council meeting. I was here for the last 15 to 20 minutes it has been exciting and I want to thank His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kaduna State, distinguished Senator Uba Sani for making it possible for us to be here. You can see that this place is highly secured and everyone is excited with what they are seeing. I want to assure you that the Nigeria Beach Soccer League should make Kaduna a home for themselves.
“It wasn’t demoralizing. I want to assure you that in their next match, you will see what they are going to do and I want to assure you that we are going to be the winners of this league. Take it from me.
“By the grace of God, the national team camp will start on Sunday. We are in discussion with the NFF and I want to assure you that it is going to be well.” Kaduna State Commissioner of Sports.
“We knew that it will be a hard-fought victory. Kada team is one of the best teams if not the best. We expected such a tough fight but we are mentally and spiritual prepared. Kudos to my boys for living up to expectations. I must dedicate this victory to our President, Professor Victor Madubuko who made it possible for us to be here. The only way to pay him back is to deliver and I am glad we did what we did today.
“They (Kebbi BSC) knew they are meeting a tough team as well. We know they are the best in Africa. They beat us in Kebbi and we beat them at home. Tomorrow (Friday), we are prepared for them and I am sure they are also prepared for us. Hopefully by the grace of God we will pick the three points.” Coach Obinna Nwagba (Anambra BSW)
“We thank God for this opening. I think everyone here has had a good time and also the weather was really good. I think it was a good opening. We had a lot of people who turned out to our own surprise being the first day. Overall, I think the teams had given us a good show for the opening. This would now go into the second day. Having more people turning out. It was a good start because we knew that these game will be very tough before commencement. Both games were very close. That is what we expect in the NBSL because everyone is good. If you are not good on the day, you get beaten without a point. It’s just the beginning but nothing is certain now. Tomorrow is another day.
“That is why it is the Finals because every game is a final. It is going to be tough. No one can beat his chest to say a team is going to win until it is over. The last game went to the last seconds. Anything could have happened. We are really happy with the organisation and the people that turned out. The Sports Commissioner and our brothers from NFF across the country. I want to thank the Governor of Kaduna State and the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for their supports. We just want to call on fans to keep supporting because this is just the start. Let’s have more interesting games and have fun.” – Mahmud Hadejia (Coordinator, Nigeria Beach Soccer League)
“I thank God almighty for making this possible today and our Chairman who made it possible for us to be here today. It was a good game. When you meet a better side, a better side will still win. A team will still win.
“I know that our opponents tomorrow are a better side as defending champions. Let tomorrow speak for itself.” Gabriel Chinweze (Anambra BSW captain)
“In the game of football, there is nothing like new jersey. Jersey don’t play football. My boys tried their best but their best was not good enough. We were not happy losing this match but there is nothing we can do about it. That is beach soccer for you but I know that we will do better in subsequent games.
“I will not say there is pressure but there is pressure because losing the first match is not easy. We tried to win this match so that we will take it over from the next match but it is up to us now to win our remaining two games to be in contention.” Kabiru Isa (Kada BSC coach).
Source: NBSL MEDIA
