Nigeria’s beach soccer national team, Super Sand Eagles have been rated along with holders, Senegal as the strongest teams at this year’s continental showpiece in Cairo, Egypt.
Sports247.ng learnt that the verdict that rates Nigeria high on the cards at Egypt 2018 came from Confederation of African Football (CAF) in their preview for this year’s African Beach Soccer Cup of Nations.
Incidentally, Nigeria, hosts of the last edition, faced off with Senegal in Saturday’s opening match in Cairo, which CAF noted that both sides are ‘two of the strongest teams’ in the competition.
CAF stated: “The fight for one of the two tickets to the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Paraguay 2019 begins in Sharm El Sheikh.
“The competition begins on a high note, with two of the strongest teams in the continent squaring off for the first points.
“Nigeria and defending champions Senegal will vie in the competition’s opener, with the winner getting one step closer to the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.
“Libya and debutants Tanzania will follow, rounding the day in Group B. After that, hosts Egypt and Morocco, who squared off in the last edition’s fight for bronze after being sidelined in the semi-finals, will close the day, fighting for the first points at stake in group A.
“Madagascar and Cote d’Ivoire will be the only two teams not playing. The Malagasy, 2015 champions, and the Elephants, runners-up in 2009 and 1013, will join the competition on Sunday.”
