2024 BSAFCON Qualifiers: Abdullahi Isa names Sand Eagles squad for Mauritania clash

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Head coach of the Nigeria Beach Soccer national team, Abdullahi Isa, has called up nine players, including Anambra Beach Soccer Warriors’ star Emeka Ogbonna (popularly known as Ronaldo), for the national team’s first match since 2019.

The Super Sand Eagles will return to international action against Mauritania in the first leg of the 2024 Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations (BSAFCON) Qualifiers on Saturday.

Coach Isa, who recently took charge of the team, selected experienced players active in the Nigeria Beach Soccer League (NBSL) since 2021 for the two-legged encounter.

Notable inclusions are league-winning goalkeeper Godwin Tale from Kebbi Beach Soccer Club (BSC) and his former teammate Arome Isa, now with Jigawa Golden Star BSC.

Other seasoned players in the squad are Victor Tale of Kada BSC and his club captain Chidozie Frank. Kebbi BSC’s Adams Taiwo and Emmanuel Ohwoferia, alongside Eganosi Ekujumi and the 2024 NBSL Most Valuable Player, Hassan Abdullahi, complete the team.

The Super Sand Eagles will depart for Nouakchott, Mauritania, on Friday ahead of Saturday’s game. The return leg is scheduled for Saturday, July 27, in Nigeria, with the winner on aggregate qualifying for the 2024 BSAFCON in Egypt.

Super Sand Eagles Squad to Face Mauritania

Goalkeepers:

• Godwin Tale (Kebbi BSC)
• Arome Isa (Jigawa Golden Star BSC)

Players:

• Emeka Ogbonna (Anambra Beach Soccer Warriors)
• Eganosi Ekujumi (Anambra BSW)
• Victor Tale (Kada BSC)
• Chidozie Frank (Kada BSC)
• Emmanuel Ohwoferia (Kebbi BSC)
• Adams Taiwo (Kebbi BSC)
• Hassan Abdullahi (Kebbi BSC)