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Acting General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme, has expressed optimism that the Sand Eagles, will qualify for the 2026 Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations (BSAFCON).
The Sand Eagles played out a 3-3 draw with Ghana’s Black Stars in the first leg of their qualifying tie in Kaduna on Saturday, leaving the contest finely poised ahead of the return leg.
Ikpeme admitted that Nigeria’s prolonged absence from international beach soccer had affected the team’s competitive rhythm but maintained that the country still had a strong chance of securing qualification for the continental tournament.
“We have not played the game for some time in terms of international beach soccer. We have just resumed, and our last competitive match was against Mauritania in a Beach Soccer AFCON qualifying tie two years ago,” Ikpeme told thenff.com.
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“Beach soccer is a very tough game, and there is a need for consistency in the training and development of the players,” he said.
The NFF chief also reaffirmed the federation’s commitment to providing the team with the necessary support to improve its competitiveness and achieve its qualification target.
Expressing confidence in the team’s prospects, Ikpeme said he would prioritise efforts to ensure that the Sand Eagles receive the backing needed to compete effectively at the international level.
“I believe there is hope. During my time, I will work to ensure that we give the beach soccer national team all the necessary support,” he added.
