Nigeria know Beach Soccer WC foes today
The Draw Ceremony of this year’s FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup finals will hold today in Nassau, capital city of The Bahamas.
Nigeria, which participated in the global tournament in 2006, 2007, 2009 and 2011, reaching the quarter finals at its last outing in Ravenna, Italy six years ago, is one of the 16 finalists at the championship billed for April 27– May 7, 2017.
FIFA Instructor and Team Administrator of the Supersand Eagles, Mr. Sunday Okayi will represent Nigeria at today’s ceremony inside the Hotel Atlantis.
Previous FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup finals were held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (2005, 2006, 2007), Marseilles, France (2008), Dubai, UAE (2009), Ravenna, Italy (2011, Tahiti (2013) and Espinho, Portugal (2015). Portugal are the defending champions after defeating Tahiti 5-3 in the final two years ago.
Already, 13 of the 16 participating countries are known, following the emergence of Mexico and Panama at the CONCACAF qualifying tournament that took place in The Bahamas February 20-26. The three remaining finalists will emerge at the Asian qualifying tournament billed for March 4-11.
Nigeria and Senegal, finalists at the CAF Beach Soccer Cup of Nations in Lagos in December 2016, will fly Africa’s flag, while Brazil, Ecuador and Paraguay are coming from South America. Hosts The Bahamas qualify automatically, while Tahiti will represent the Oceanian region.
Italy, Poland, Portugal and Switzerland will be in The Bahamas for Europe. But Russia, champions in Ravenna in 2011 and Tahiti in 2013, will be missing.
