According to the June 2017 Beach Soccer World Ranking, Nigeria ranked No. 21 amongst the top 30 countries listed.
The Nigerian Beach Soccer Team had a great run at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in the Bahamas earlier this year, though the team was eliminated, they finished third in group B behind Italy and Iran.
Top player for the Super Sand Eagles, Abu Azeez’s goal during the tournament against Mexico was nominated alongside 11 others for the Goal of the tournament but did not meet the requirements to take the title.
The 23-year-old who is also an NPFL player for the Shooting Stars Sports Club and has two top goal-scoring titles to his name from international football tournaments has been nominated with 49 others from top teams in the world for the Beach Soccer Best Player of the Year award.
The player who after the news was very ecstatic took to his Twitter handle to express his joy, and Nigerians have since kvelled over his nomination with replies of praise for a job well done.
The final 50-man list was drawn up by Beach Soccer Worldwide and the Technical Study Group from the 2017 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in the Bahamas. Also listed were 12 nominee coaches for the Best Coach of the Year Award.
Groundwork of the awards was gotten from votes by captains and coaches of all national teams.
The event (Beach Soccer Stars Night) which will entail the awards of both the Best Player of the Year and Best Coach of the Year is scheduled for the 4th of November in Dubai.
Congratulations Abu Azeez, we are proud!
Photo: Premium Times
