Kebbi wins Nigerian Beach Soccer League

Kebbi Beach Soccer Club are champions of the maiden Nigerian Beach Soccer League season after they edged Kada Beach Soccer club to 4-3 extra-time win at the newly built Kaduna Beach Soccer Stadium.

Kebbi, Kada, Smart City and Kwara beach soccer clubs finished among the top four from the eight-team inaugural league season following three round-robin meetings in Lagos, Kebbi and Kwara respectively to converge in Kaduna for the Super-4 which eventually produced the league champions.

Kebbi made a bright start to the tournament as they edged Smart City 7-6 and followed by a 6-3 win over Kwara, also consolidated on day two in a match that dragged the hosts Kada into the extra time before eventually securing a 4-3 triumph.

The Super-4 of the Nigerian league, held at the Murtala Square saw Africa’s no.1 ranked club proved its mettle, and no one was as fulfilled as Kebbi’s captain Kareem Hammed.

“Being the champion was not easy, we are not the best, but God made it possible for us but we put all our strength. We are prepared for more challenges to come as we will not relent on being the best. I cannot express the joy I have right now, because this is the first time this (Beach Soccer League) ever happen in Nigeria.” – Kareem Hammed

While reviewing the successes and challenges of the inaugural season, elated NFF executive member and Board Chairman of the Nigeria Beach Soccer Association; Suleiman Yahaya-Kwande reinstated his leadership’s drive in improving the fortune of the Beach Soccer in the country.

“I think it’s been very impressive, this is the first time, this our first league, we thank God that everything went on smooth. For the first time, we are seeing something big, I am impressed,” Kwande said.

“When we stopped the Sand Eagles, it was because we weren’t having a beach soccer league so the players were gotten from normal football and now that we have a Beach Soccer league, I am sure by the time we’ve played a couple of seasons, NFF will consider bringing back the national team for international competitions.” – Suleiman Yahaya-Kwande

Smart City of Lagos won the bronze medal, after beating Kwara 6-0 in the third-place classification match earlier in the day. Smart City’s Akpan Abraham was named the tournament’s topscorer award on eight goals.

For more information on the Nigerian Super-4, visit beachsoccer.ng