1st November, 2016
The 6th edition of the COPA Lagos Beach Soccer tournament will hold on Dec. 16, dovetailing into CAF Beach Soccer tournament scheduled also for Dec. 16 to Dec. 18.
Samson Adamu, the Managing Director of Kinetic Sports, organizers of COPA Lagos, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday that the CAF Beach Soccer had forced the organizers to reduce the usual three days for COPA tournament to one day.
According to him, the two tournaments will hold simultaneously at Eko Atlantic, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Adamu noted that with both competitions taking place at the same venue, the COPA Lagos would be bigger and better than the previous editions.
“It’s a two-in-one project, so it’s going to be big, and there will be side attractions apart from beach soccer itself which is the main event.
“We cannot run the two events differently unlike what we had in previous editions, COPA Lagos is going to be for just one day because of CAF beach soccer tournament we are also hosting.
“Our fans should expect an action-packed event.”
He urged the Sand Super Eagles to give their best for a good outing in the competition.
Adamu added:“I expect nothing but a formidable team this year so that we can secure ticket to the World Cup.
“In order to achieve this, we need support from all angles, we need fans to come out and cheer us to victory in the CAF tournament.
“Anytime from now players will resume camp and I believe that Coach Audu Ejo will deliver.”
The winner of the CAF Beach soccer tournament and first runner-up will represent Africa in the FIFA Beach soccer tournament.
NAN reports that the 9th edition of the FIFA beach soccer tournament will hold in Bahamas, Nassau, from April 27 to May 7, 2017.
The Sand Super Eagles had won the CAF tournament twice in 2007 and 2009; they also won the COPA Lagos back-to-back from 2011 to 2013.
Madagascar also won the 2015 edition of the Africa Beach Soccer tournament, while Cote d’Ivoire won the 2015 edition of COPA Lagos.