The opening stage of the NBSL in Nigeria saw Kebbi and Kada go undefeated
Defending champions Kebbi BSC and Kada BSC remain perfect to lead Groups A and B going into the second round of matches of the 2022 Nigeria Beach Soccer League (NBSL).
The first round took place this weekend in Ilorin, Western Nigeria. Ten teams from across the country competed in two groups in a round-robin format over four matchdays, hitting a total of 160 goals in 20 matches, an average of eight goals per game.
An exciting opening round saw Sand Eagles legends Isiaka Olawale, Victor Tale and Emeka Ogbonna return to play active roles and inspiring their sides.
The final matchday in Ilorin saw intense games as both the experienced teams and debutants fought hard to secure as many points as possible going into the second round.
At the end of this first phase, Kaduna and Kebbi sit in the top spots in the Group A and B standings respectively.
Kebbi snatched victory in their first match narrowly, taking just a point against Nmanko Pategi from the penalty spot, but went on to win the rest in normal time, with their final match seeing the defending champions defeat the Kwara hosts by four goals to two.
Kaduna (Kada) hit ten in their first game, the most by any team in the NBSL so far, and then went on to match the tally in the second. Their third and fourth matches were narrowly claimed, but the competition leaders have dropped just a single point on their 2022 campaign.
Speaking to the Press, the League Coordinator, Mahmud Hadejia commended the host for a successful first round, noting that challenges experienced would be taken into account heading into the second stage of the league in Lagos this March.
2022 NBSL – Round 1 (Ilorin, Kwara)
DAY 1 – 23/02/2022
M1: Kada 10–3 Niger
M2: Kwara 3(4)–(5)3 Badagry
DAY 2 – 24/02/2022
M3: Igbogbo Kingdom 1-5 Smart City
M4: Kebbi 3(5)-(4)3 Nmanko Pategi
M5: Kelme Galaxy Benue 5-10 Kada
M6: Nmanko Pategi 3-8 Badagry Warriors
M7: Niger 4-5 Igbogbo Kingdom *AET
M8: Kogi 1-3 Kwara
DAY 3 – 25/02/2022
M9: Kada 4-3 Smart City *AET
M10: Badagry 2-3 Kogi
M11: Igbogbo Kingdom 6-2 Kelme Galaxy
M12: Kebbi 6-3 Kogi
M13: Kelme Galaxy 4-1 Niger
M14: Kwara 4-0 Nmanko Pategi
DAY 4 – 26/02/2022
M15: Smart City 8-5 Niger
M16: Badagry Warriors 1-6 Kebbi
M17: Kogi 7-4 Nmanko Patigi
M18: Kada 5-4 Igbogbo Kingdom
M19: Kelme Galaxy 6-3 Smart City
M20: Kebbi 4-2 Kwara
Information and photos courtesy of NBSA Media
