Former Super Eagles Midfielder, Mutiu Adepoju has tipped the Supersand Eagles on how to succeed at the 10th FIFA 2019 Beach Cup, which kicks off today in Paraguay. Adepoju said the Supersand Eagles have what it takes to succeed at the Cup because of the experienced players in the Nigerian squad, adding, however, that they must be tactically disciplined and focused to succeed in Paraguay.
Adepoju said all the teams at the Cup has equal chances of winning the trophy, saying that Nigeria’s performance at the Copa Lagos Beach Championship was a pointer to the quality in the team.Nigeria and Senegal are Africa’s representatives at the 2019 Beach Cup, with the Sand Eagles alongside five times world champions, Brazil, Oman and Portugal in group D.
This year’s finals will hold at the ‘Los Pynandi’ Cup Stadium – named after the Paraguayan national beach soccer team – and located at the headquarters of the Paraguayan Olympic Committee in Greater Asuncion.Nigeria earned a ticket to feature at the 16team Cup finals after finishing second at the CAF Beach Soccer Cup of Nations held in Egypt in December 2018. Champions Senegal is the other team flying Africa’s flag in Paraguay.
This year’s finals will kick off today and end on December 1.Nigeria’s delegation of players and team officials flew out of the country on November 8 to participate in an eight-nation pre-competition tournament that took place in Asuncion from November 12 to 16.
The Supersand Eagles defeated the Tahiti national team 9-4 during the pre-tournament event, after losing 3-7 to host Paraguay.Paraguay will tackle Japan in the tournament opening game today. After their first game against Portugal tomorrow, the Supersand Eagles take to the beach against Oman on Sunday, November 24 and then against Brazil two days later.
Head Coach Adamu has listed veterans Abu Azeez and Victor Tale in his final squad of 12, with Emmanuel Ohwoferia, Emeka Ogbonna, Godspower Igudia, Dami Paul and Taiwo Adams also in.Godwin Tale (Victor’s younger brother), Egan-Osi Ekujimi, Babatunde Badmus, Godwin Iorbee and Hameed Kareem are the other names on the list.
