Beach Soccer superstar Abu Azeez scored twice as Nigeria bounced back from an opening day loss to defeat Libya in Day Two of the 2018 CAF Beach Soccer Cup of Nations in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt on Sunday.
The Sand Eagles – as the Nigerian national side are known – suffered an excruciating loss to Senegal in a repeat of last year’s final in their opening game on Saturday, losing to the West Africans 2-0 on penalties after tying 4-4 in regulation time.
However, coach Adamu Ejo’s wards bounced back on Sunday, beating North Africans Libya 6-3 in their second group game. Azeez, who was named among the top 50 Beach Soccer players in the world last year netted a brace for Nigeria, as also Emeka Ogbonna.
The win puts Nigeria in good stead to qualify for the semi-final stage of the competition, something they will accomplish with a win in their final group game against Tanzania on Monday afternoon.
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Debutants Tanzania are already out of the tournament after losing to defending champions Senegal on Sunday. The East Africans were annihilated 12-2, a result which renders their final group game against Nigeria as one for pride. Tanzania had lost their first ever Beach Soccer Cup of Nations game to Libya 5-2 on Saturday.
The group’s other game will be decided on Tuesday between Senegal and Tanzania.
In Group A, only two matches have been decided so far. Hosts Egypt thrashed Morocco 6-1 on Saturday while Madagascar edged a tight contest against Coted’voire 4-3 on Sunday afternoon. All four teams will be in action on Monday.
The two finalists in Sharm El Sheikh will represent Africa at the 2019 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup scheduled for Paraguay.
