2014 COPA LAGOS: We will give Nigerians another Christmas gift, says Ejor

2014 COPA LAGOS: We will give Nigerians another Christmas gift, says Ejor…Named 18-man provisional squad… reopens camp on Wednesday Dec 3

Ahead of the 2014 Copa Lagos, head coach of the Super Sand Eagles, Audu Adamu Ejor has said his side is aiming to win this year’s Beach Soccer Championship to present Nigerians another Christmas gift.

The annual four-nation tournament organized by which kicks-off between December 12-14 will feature three other African countries – continent defending champions Senegal, Ghana and Ivory Coast at the Lagos’
Atlantic.

Though expects a tough contest against the African sides, Ejor, said the fans will enjoy another spectacular display this time as they hope to successfully retain the title for the fourth time in a row.

Ejor as popularly called applauded the support of the National Sports Commission and Nigeria Football Federation and believes this edition will be with a difference for the Super Sand Eagles.

Adamu Ejor, Coach of Super Sand Eagles,

“I’m happy that another opportunity is here for us to give Nigerians another Christmas gift.

“I will be tough no doubt because of the other African teams that will be involved in the competition. But as the best in African, we will prove ourselves again as champions.

“I’m excited with the great support and attention we are getting from the Ministry of Sports and the NFF. I believe that will spur us. There are few new faces as well as our best legs, though we won’t have
enough time to check out others.”

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Beach soccer senior national team has released a provisional list of 18 players for this year’s Copa Lagos.

On the list is legendary captain Olawale Isiaka and all-time record goal scorer Abu Azeez are among other familiar faces for the coveted entertaining beach event.

Coach of Super Sand Eagles, Adamu Ejor

Sharks’ goalkeeper Isah Danladi and Lobi Stars’ Musa Najare, who replaced Ikechukwu Ibenegbu that will be absent for personal reasons, dominated the team of new invitees.

The Super Sand-Eagles, Wednesday will begin an intensive one-week training activities at the usual base in Badagry with the 18-man team will vie for their places in the final squad list of 10 for the tournament.

Nigeria is the most successful team at the Championship winning in all three editions since inception in 2011, while Abu Azeez holds the record highest goal of 11.

Full squad list

1. Abdul Isah – Kaduna United 2. Isiaka Olawale – Dolphins [Captain], 3. Okemmiri Ogbonnaya – Abia Warriors, 4. Victor Tale – Confluence Beach team, 5. Abu Azeez – Warri Wolves.

6. Emeka Ogbonna – Leads United FC of Lagos, 7. Oladipo Olalekan – Owibeseb Beach team, 8. Emma Ohweferia – Owibeseb Beach team, 9. Babatunde Badmus – Owibeseb Beach team, 10. Atiku Sulaimon – Owibeseb Beach team, 11. Musa Najare – Lobi Stars, 12. Isah Danladi – Sharks FC.

13. Wasiu Akinbitan – Badagry Beach team, 14. Abutu Adofu – Confluence Beach team, 15. Samuel Kuchili – Plateau United, 16. Idris Ahmed of Mighty Jets, 17. Wasiu Jomih – Kwara Academy, 18. Ehiabhi Festus –
Bridge Boys of Lagos.

EkoFootball beach Soccer Tournament 2014: Owibesebe BSC Crowned Champions

Owibesebe Celebrate their victory at the EkoFootball beach Soccer Tournament 2014

EkoFootball beach Soccer Tournament 2014: Owibesebe BSC Crowned Champions

Coach Kashimawo Laloko presenting A gift to the captain of Owibese BSC

Its Beach Soccer season here in Lagos, Nigeria and the Lagos FA kicked off activities for the new beach soccer season with a one day tournament that had defending champions of the Eko Beach Soccer League Owibesebe BSC battle against Bridge Boys Beach Soccer Team, Young Strikers Beach Soccer Team and Pepsi Football Academy Beach Soccer Team in a Four Team Tournament that took place at the Elegushi Beach in Lagos.

Owibese BSC

The First game of the day was between Owibesebe BSC and the Young Strikers BSC. Owibesebe didn’t not hesitate to put the Young Strikers BSC to the sword.

Two Quick fire goals in the early minutes of the first period set the tone for the game as Owibesebe Confirmed their superiority over Young Strikers. The game eventually ended 6-1 in favor of the Boys from Badagry.

Young Strikers BSC

The second game was no less exciting as the Pepsi Football Academy BSC drew first Blood but were made to pay heavily for this by the Bridge Boys who went on rampage putting seven past the Pepsi Goalie. The game ended 7-3 in favor of the Bridge Boys and this victory qualified them for the finals of the one day event versus Owibesebe BSC while Young strikers were now to battle Pepsi Academy BSC in the 3rd place play-offs.

Pepsi Football Academy BSC

The third place match saw Young strikers defeat Pepsi Academy BSC 4-2 and this was definitely a marked improvement on the first games both team had earlier played.

The final game was everything a final game should be, as Bridge Boys BSC and Owibesebe BSC didn’t waste time to show the spectators what stuff they were made off. Bridge Boys were the first off the mark with a stunning goal that left the Owibesebe Goalie Sprawling, But the Boys Badagry showed the mettle they were made off when they fought back from a goal down to level scores and eventually score one more to emerge champions of the EkoFootball Beach Soccer Tournament.

Bridge Boys BSC

A couple Off dignitaries were on hand to grace the occasion, chief among whom was the Commisioner of Sports Lagos State, Enitan Oshodi, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Football Matters Anthony Adeyinka Adeboye, First Vice Chairman Nigeria Football Federation And Chairman Lagos FA Seyi Akinwunmi, Vice Chairman Lagos FA Tade Azeez just to mention a few.

The Attention of Beach Soccer Lovers will now switch to the Eko Atlantic Beach, Venue of the Annual International Copa Lagos Beach Soccer Championship which Kicks Off on the 12th of December through to the 14th of December 2014.

The 2nd Season of the EkoFootball Beach Soccer League is expected to commence after the Copa Lagos International Beach Soccer Tournament

We’ve added few pictures from the 1 day tournament below:

Anthony Adeyinka Adeboye, SA to Lagos Governor of Football Matters on the right

Pepsi Football Academy BSC

Bridge Boys BSC

Owibese BSC

Young Strikers BSC

Femi Adetula and Colin Udoh of Supersports

Abu Azeez of Warri Wolves and the Super Sand Eagles with LSFA Board Member Wale Joseph

Wahid Oshodi, Commissioner for Sports Lagos State

Match Officials and captains of Owibesebe BSC and Bridge Boys BSC before the final match