NFF to Treat Supersand Eagles Like Other National Teams, Says Gusau.
President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, has announced that the federation is committed to ensuring the Beach Soccer National Team, known as the Supersand Eagles, receives the same attention as other national teams once they return to international competitions.
Gusau made this pledge during the inauguration of the NFF’s Futsal and Beach Soccer Sub-Committee at the NFF Secretariat in Abuja.
“Nigeria is a big footballing nation, and it will be inappropriate if we continue to stay out of some activities that other African countries are involved in, football-wise. We will do whatever is necessary to restore Nigeria’s presence in futsal and beach soccer,” said Gusau. “I am assuring the committee that whether through financial or other means, futsal and beach soccer will enjoy equal treatment as other national teams.”
The Supersand Eagles have previously brought honour to Nigeria by winning the Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations in 2007 and 2009, securing several silver and bronze medals, and representing Africa at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup multiple times. Notably, they reached the quarter-finals in Ravenna, Italy, in 2011, before losing to Brazil in overtime.
However, the NFF withdrew the team from international competitions five years ago after heavy defeats at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Paraguay.
The newly inaugurated committee is chaired by a member of the NFF Executive Committee, Otuekong Nse Essien, with Alhaji Ahmed Yusuf (Fresh), Chairman of Chairmen, as vice chairman. Other members include Hon. Suleiman Yahaya-Kwande, former NFF Executive Committee member and Chairman of Plateau State FA; Mr. Richard Jideaka, a prominent journalist; Alhaji Aminu Mohammed Inuwa; Haji Liameed Gafaar, Chairman of Lagos State FA; and Yabagi Alhaji Baba, vice chairman of Niger State FA. The secretary is Abubakar D. Umar Barde.
Also present at the inauguration were NFF Deputy General Secretary, Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme, and several directors of the federation.
This renewed focus on the Supersand Eagles and other futsal activities is expected to restore Nigeria’s prominence in these sports on the African continent and globally.
