Sports
Beach soccer has gone beyond raw power and strength –Azeez
After an early ouster from the 2017 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, Super Sand Eagles striker, Abu Azeez, has stressed that Africa has failed to realise that the game has evolved to being more about ‘technique’ than ‘power and strength.’
The Nigerian team lost 12-6 to Italy in their opening game in Bahamas, and won 5-4 over Mexico in the second group game, before losing 2-1 to Iran on penalties after full time ended 4-4 last Monday.
But Azeez, who also called for a Nigerian Beach Soccer league in the future, believes his side would have performed way better if they had prepared well even with friendly games.
“We (Sand Eagles) did our best and I’m sure it could have been better with better preparation and friendly games,” Azeez told Supersports.
“Africans don’t seem to realise beach soccer has gone beyond raw power and strength.
“The game has evolved as it is more about technique now than power and we must realise that we cannot keep relying on power.
Read Also: Sand Eagles crash out of Beach Soccer W’Cup
“A Beach Soccer League in Nigeria will also help to improve technique, organisation and match fitness for the lads. If we can do all of these, Nigeria will definitely do better in international competitions.”
Nigeria crashed out of the on-going FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup at the Bahamas, failing to advance to the last eight after losing 2-1 on penalties to Iran in their third group game.
But the Eagles star, who was the top scorer of the Nigeria side with four goals, believes that the team has gained a lot from their participation in the global event, as he calls on the authorities to put up high grade friendlies to improve the ‘knowledge’ of the players.
“The team has gained more experience from this competition which will help us move forward but a lot still needs to be done,” he said.
“We need more grade A friendly games and tournaments with top teams to be able to gauge ourselves and also tap more knowledge from them.”
The Sand Eagles will leave Bahamas today (Thursday) and will arrive Nigeria on Friday.
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