By JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON
As teams prepare for the 2024 Nigeria Beach Soccer League (NBSL) Super 4, captains of the four participating teams have been talking tough.
This came to the fore at NBSL organised a press conference ahead of the 2024 Super 4 in Kaduna at Asaa Pyramid Hotels on Tuesday.
The Super 4 which will determine the league winners for the 2024 season will kick off on July 4 and runs through to July 6 at the Murtala Muhammed Square, Kaduna State.
Four teams; Kebbi BSC, Kada BSC, Anambra Beach Soccer Warriors, and Kebbi United BSC will jostle for the league title.
Below are the reactions of players ahead of the season-deciding finale.
“I know that we will be facing some difficulties but we should enjoy the game as players and be happy for it.
“For us as defending champions, we will keep our heads up, enjoy the game, and retain the title hopefully.”
In an interview, Kebbi BSC captain, Ekene Obi said, “We are very happy to be here. This is the first time we will be at the Super 4 and hope to win it.”
Also speaking, Anambra Beach Soccer Warriors skipper, Gabriel Chinweze said, “I want to thank God for journey mercies. This will be the first time we are also coming here for the Super 4.
“I know it won’t be easy but will give our best to win the title.
“I want to thank the President for what he has done. Every youth wants to play beach soccer on the street due to his initiatives.
“For the Super 4, we shall meet on Thursday when the title begins.”
On his part, Kebbi United BSC captain, Joseph Stanley said, “Concerning the Super 4, we are the former champions. Kebbi BSC won the first edition here. We went to their home ground to win it. This is the fourth edition in Kaduna.
“We know it won’t be easy. I hope the best team wins.
“I wish everyone a hitch-free tournament and hope everyone returns home safely.”
The conference which came before the highly anticipated Super 4 was attended by beach soccer players, officials, and stakeholders to enlighten journalists ahead of the title-deciding tournament.
While welcoming dignitaries, the Coordinator of the NBSL, Mahmud Hadejia opined that the stage is set for the Super 4 business which is slated for July 4 to 6.
“We are here for business and unity. We must understand why we are here. This is a competition. We are here as one and to show the true character of sportsmanship that beach soccer is here to stay,” Hadejia said during the conference while he commended the State Government for hosting the tournament.
“The Kaduna State Government, our host has done very well. Kaduna started the hosting of the Super 4 in 2021 and is also hosting this year. I want to commend the State Government for hosting under the leadership of Senator Uba Sani who is a sports lover. They have done extremely well in terms of preparation and support of this event.
“We need the support of the government. They are always involved whenever we are hosting because they provide a lot of things in supporting this event. We are glad and excited for the Governor to be part of this event.
“I also want to commend the Commissioner of Sports who has been excited about hosting the Super 4. I will commend the Professor and his team ably represented by the Permanent Secretary for their backing. We are so happy with this partnership and the wonderful facilities at the Murtala Muhammed Square hoping that in the future it host the Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations and World Cup.
“The Kaduna Beach Soccer Association under Engineer Musa Nimrod also needed to be appreciated for everything especially the hosting of this Super 4.”
With the season starting with the First Round in Kebbi State, the regular season was concluded in Anambra State with four teams; Kebbi BSC, Kada BSC, Anambra Beach Soccer Warriors, and Kebbi United BSC making it to the Super 4.
“The 2024 season started in Kebbi State for the first round with five matches before moving to Anambra State where four teams qualified for the Super 4.” He continued. “I want to congratulate all the teams that participated in the league. We might not have large numbers of teams based on some challenges but we have had teams that started from onset and are still with us. I congratulate every team including Nmanko Patigi BSC as we are all one family. I wish you all a successful stay here irrespective of the results.
“We are ready to go and have been preparing for the Super 4. We are just having some touches on the pitch to give players the best of facilities hoping that from Thursday the teams will give us good displays. Thank you once again for making it.”
The Permanent Secretary Kaduna State Sports Commission, Alhaji Muhktar Abdullahi stated the reason why the state decided to host the competition.
“I want to welcome every team to this tournament. It is understood that sports is a unifier of people. That is the reason why sports are captured under the government of Senator Uba Sani to ensure that sports are entrenched in the government program to uplift youths.
“The willingness of the State to host this tournament is to signify that beach soccer and other sporting activities get enabling support. We will do whatever we can to be a good host to our visitors.”
The Chairman of Kaduna State Beach Soccer Association who is also the President of Nigeria Volleyball Federation, Engineer Musa Nimrod advised players ahead of the tournament while expressing his delight with the return of the national team for the 2024 Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations (BSAFCON) Qualifiers.
“Beach Soccer is a very lovely and peaceful game with everyone a happy big family.
“You are all welcomed to Kaduna State, the home of Kada. I want to thank the President, especially for the growth of the league and relationship with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
“I want to thank the Permanent Secretary for the support that Kaduna State has offered in hosting this tournament.
“Even if the game between Nigeria and Mauritania is coming home, we hope Kaduna State will host it. I want to congratulate everyone that the beach soccer national team is back after years.
“I want to appeal to everyone to work in unity so that NFF will know that NBSL is a strong league. I am sure that the rise that will be selected for the Sand Eagles will come from this league.
“As players, don’t expect everything. I want to advise you that you shouldn’t expect everything from the NFF due to the current economic challenges. I know that the President has a good understanding with the NFF to get good welfare in the camp of the national team.”
The opening match of the Super 4 will see two teams from Kebbi State; Kebbi BSC and Kebbi United BSC trade tackles before host Kada BSC faces Anambra Beach Soccer Warriors.
In attendance during the press conference was the Special Adviser to the Governor Alhaji Seidu Idris, President of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Isaiah Benjamin. the Chairman of Kaduna State Football Association Alhaji Faisal, and the
