With a four-point lead at the top of the 2023 Nigeria Beach Soccer League (NBSL), Kebbi Beach Soccer Club (BSC) is close to reclaiming the league title.
Team captain, Hammed Kareem says there is still much to be done with four games to spare heading into the final phase of the league in Kebbi State.
The only unbeaten team in the league this season hopes to maintain their winning momentum on home soil to reclaim the title it lost to Kada BSC last season.
“Fine we are leading with four points but I don’t see it that way. We are leading with four points and to my own belief and little experience we are all on the same points. Four points are nothing in football,” Kareem told beachsoccer.ng
“The team preparation is going on for the final phase even before the conclusion of the final round in Kebbi.”
The final phase of the league is slated to take place in Kebbi State from Thursday, August 17 to Sunday, August 20, as the Kebbi Fishers attempt to maintain its six-match unbeaten streak.
With five wins in regulation time and a win via penalties, the Kebbi Fishers need to avoid defeat once again in the final phase in Birnin Kebbi to lay their hands on the league title.
The team won the maiden title in Kaduna, lost the title on home soil in 2022, and hopes to reclaim the trophy at home this season with a magic touch of being unbeaten.
“The magic of not losing any game so far this season is coming from the good management of the team; the coach, and the player’s commitment.” He added.
“Sometimes the games are like that. That’s the beauty of the game sometimes goes the way you plan and sometimes goes the other way but you can’t take it away from Kebbi team, up Fishers.”
The league is in its third season with Kebbi BSC winning the maiden edition in 2021 while Kada BSC clinched the title in 2022.
“We should count ourselves lucky that the league starts in our generation. That is what Nigerians have been crying for many years. But all thanks go to NFF for tremendously working to make it come to pass and our fathers of the game the likes of Mr Sunday Okayi, Mr Kwambe, and our lovely father may his soul rest in peace Coach Audu Ejo, Coach Agbo (RIP), from player to coach Isah Abdul, our camp coach Kadiri Christopher, legends of the game, Isiaka Olawale, mosquito Okeminri, Abu Azeez, Victor Tale, Ogbonna Emeka, and father of all father General Secretary of Nigeria Football Federation respect.
“Maximum respect goes to a man of honour nobody else than the President of ABSU who wants everybody around him to be happy always. Nobody else than Mr Mahmud Hadejia, respect my boss.” He concluded.
Four of the six teams in the league have the chance of winning the title heading into the last phase.
Kebbi BSC leads the pack with 16 points ahead of Nmanko Patigi BSC with 12 points, Kebbi United BSC (11 points), Kada BSC (9 points), Ibom BSC (1 point), and Smart City BSC without any points.
