2024 NBSL Matchday 1 Wrap: Holders Kebbi BSC off to flying start

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

The 2024 Nigeria Beach Soccer League (NBSL) kicked off with three games in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State capital on Wednesday.

Two-time champions and holders, Kebbi Beach Soccer Club (BSC) recorded the biggest win of the opening Matchday with an emphatic 6-0 thrashing of Nmanko Patigi BSC.

The match between the top two teams in the league last season didn’t live up to the expected hype as Kebbi Fishers, the top-ranked team in Africa ran riot with six un-replied goals.

Hassan Abdullahi led the way with two goals while Taiwo Adams, Emmanuel Ohwoferia, goalkeeper Nuhu Noma, and captain Ekene Obi scored a goal each.

Earlier, Anambra Warriors BSC gave debutant, Jigawa Golden Stars BSC a baptism of fire with a 5-1 victory for the league’s returning team.

Ekwo Stanley bagged two goals for the Nnewi-based while Gabriel Chinweze, Amoke Kennedy, and Nigeria Beach soccer legend, Ogbonna Emeka converted a goal apiece.

Senior Abba scored Jigawa Golden Stars BSC’s first-ever goal in the league.

Meanwhile, the 2022 winners, Kada BSC showed champions stuff with a 5-1 win against Kebbi United BSC, the second team from Kebbi State, and the star league champions.

Back-to-back league top goal scorer in 2022 and 2023, Dozie Frank led his side with two goals as Tanko Emmanuel, Mamman James, and former captain of Kebbi BSC, Kareem Hameed scored a goal each for the Kaduna-based team.

Sadiq Umar pulled a goal back for Kebbi United BSC.

This is the fourth season of the NBSL since its inception in 2021.

Kebbi BSC has won the title twice with Kada BSC winning the other in 2022.