Katsina United striker, Eric Dufegha says he is happy with his inclusion in the Super Sand Eagles’ final squad to the 2018 African Beach Soccer Cup of Nations in Egypt, where he hopes to justify his presence.
Sports247.ng reports that, although he admits beach soccer is new to him, Dufegha is learning fast, and wants to hit the ground running.
Dufegha said he wants to start shinning with Saturday’s opening group match against defending champions, Senegal, before also lining out to face Libya on Sunday and versus Tanzania on Monday in Cairo, Egypt.
On his part, coach of the side, Audu Adamu (Ejo) says he had to settle for 11 players in his squad to this year’s continental shopiece in Cairo, Egypt because one of the selected stars, Joshua Enaholo got injured in training after his named had been sent to CAF.
Adamu, though, enthused that his side will be able to hold their own at Egypt 2018, as he believes the players will give their best, while also relying on utility player, Ojukwu Titus to fill in as an alternate keeper should the need arise.
Nigeria will join Cote d’Ivoire, Libya, Madagascar, Morocco, Senegal, Tanzania and hosts Egypt in the contest, from December 8 to 24.
Nigeria won the 2007 and 2009 African Beach Soccer Championships, and finished as runners-up in 2008, 2010, 2011 and 2016.
The last edition was held in Lagos in December 2016 and served as the qualifiers for the 2017 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in The Bahamas.
Senegal won the tournament, with Nigeria finishing as runners-up. Both teams represented Africa in The Bahamas.
Adamu said: “Nigeria is a force in beach soccer on the African continent and that means any team we send to the continental championship must be able to live up to the high expectation of Nigerians.”
