Azeez counts Beach Soccer WCup gains
 |
|
|
|
Nigeria’s ouster at the 2017 Fifa Beach Soccer
World Cup in the Bahamas has served as a warning call to the country to
take the development of the game more serious if the country is to be
among elites in the World.
According to Sand Eagles star Abu Azeez, there are a lot of positives to take from Nigeria’s elimination from the tournament while stressing it is also a wake-up call for the players and authorities in charge.
Italy flatten Sand Eagles in Nassau
Azeez assures improved outing v Mexico
'Fatigue affecting Rivers Utd'
NPFL switch for former Hearts duo
Osho unhappy with defeat v Enyimba
The Sand Eagles lost their first game of the competition 12-6 to Italy before bouncing back to defeat Mexico 5-4 after extra time in a nervy second group game.
Iran ended Nigeria’s hopes of a place in the knockout stages by edging out the Sand Eagles 2-1 on penalties after the game ended 4-4 after regulation time.
Azeez believes the experience gained in the Bahamas is invaluable but more needs to be done to take the game to the next level in Nigeria.
“The team has gained more experience from this competition which will help us move forward but a lot still needs to be done,” he told supersport.com.
“We need more grade A friendly games and tournaments with top teams to be able to gauge ourselves and also tap more knowledge from them.
“We did our best and I’m sure it could have been better with better preparation and friendly games.
Another thing is Africans don’t seem to realise beach soccer has gone beyond raw power and strength.
“The game has evolved as it is more about technique now than power and we must realise that we cannot keep relying on power.
“A Beach Soccer League in Nigeria will also help to improve technique, organisation and match fitness for the lads. If we can do all of these, Nigeria will definitely do better in international competitions.”
According to Sand Eagles star Abu Azeez, there are a lot of positives to take from Nigeria’s elimination from the tournament while stressing it is also a wake-up call for the players and authorities in charge.
Italy flatten Sand Eagles in Nassau
Azeez assures improved outing v Mexico
'Fatigue affecting Rivers Utd'
NPFL switch for former Hearts duo
Osho unhappy with defeat v Enyimba
The Sand Eagles lost their first game of the competition 12-6 to Italy before bouncing back to defeat Mexico 5-4 after extra time in a nervy second group game.
Iran ended Nigeria’s hopes of a place in the knockout stages by edging out the Sand Eagles 2-1 on penalties after the game ended 4-4 after regulation time.
Azeez believes the experience gained in the Bahamas is invaluable but more needs to be done to take the game to the next level in Nigeria.
“The team has gained more experience from this competition which will help us move forward but a lot still needs to be done,” he told supersport.com.
“We need more grade A friendly games and tournaments with top teams to be able to gauge ourselves and also tap more knowledge from them.
“We did our best and I’m sure it could have been better with better preparation and friendly games.
Another thing is Africans don’t seem to realise beach soccer has gone beyond raw power and strength.
“The game has evolved as it is more about technique now than power and we must realise that we cannot keep relying on power.
“A Beach Soccer League in Nigeria will also help to improve technique, organisation and match fitness for the lads. If we can do all of these, Nigeria will definitely do better in international competitions.”
No comments: