Super Sand Eagles star, Abu Azeez revealed in a chat with ACLSports that the team’s qualification to the Beach Soccer World Cup in Paraguay next year is his best feeling so far despite the poor preparation in the build up to the Africa Nations Cup tournament.
“We are so happy because most people wrote us off. Egypt were in Dubai for an invitational tournament where they defeated Spain and that wowed me.
“It is one of the greatest feelings; in fact my best feeling this year because we actually didn’t prepare for this tournament at all but the lads really impressed me a lot. Also considering the fact that we brought in five new players to join the team to compete with teams and players that have been in camp for months and then defeating the hosts who were the favourites,” Abu Azeez said after the victory over Egypt which secured the World Cup ticket.
Apart from sealing World Cup qualification, Abu Azeez also made history against Egypt after reaching 100 beach soccer goals for the Super Sand Eagles of Nigeria.
“It means everything to me,” Nigeria’s beach soccer centurion said. “I feel so excited because I started for fun and now I have been recognised worldwide by FIFA and Beach Soccer Worldwide. This makes me want to do more, giving me opportunities to promote and improve the game in Nigeria and Africa,” he added.
Abu Azeez began the beach soccer African Cup of Nations slowly due to a serious back ache with his first goal of the tournament coming in the second game and he hasn’t looked back since then. Currently on seven goals alongside Senegal’s Lansana Diassy and two short of the top scorer’s chart with a game left to play, Azeez would fancy his chances of clinching the highest goalscorer award as Nigeria battles the defending champions, Senegal in the final later today.
He has also called on Nigerians to give their usual support as they come up against the four time champions later today.
“Nigerians have always supported us even when we lose at times. We want to appeal to every Nigerian because with their usual support, we can come out victorious. Their prayers, messages, constructive criticism and motivation is what we need,” he said.
