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Nigeria eyes gold medal in Africa beach soccer tournament

Xinhua, November 29, 2016 Adjust font size:

Nigeria's national beach soccer team said Tuesday it is fully prepared to win the 2016 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Beach Soccer championship next month.

Nigeria will host the five-day beach soccer championship at the Eko Atlantic arena in the coastal city of Lagos from Dec. 13-18.

Nigeria coach Audu Ejo told reporters his players were in top form for the competition.

"We are in high spirits. Our players have shown seriousness and commitment, they have the right attitude towards this competition and I sincerely hope luck shines on us," the coach said.

A total of 23 local players from various clubs in the Nigeria Professional Football League have been tuning up for the competition since Nov. 14.

Ejo said his team had prepared adequately to take on Egypt in its first match at the competition.

"We are ready for Egypt. We are facing them first, the first match is very important; it sets the pace for the other matches," he said.

Winner of the tournament and its first runner-up will represent Africa at the 9th FIFA Beach Soccer Tournament in Nassau, Bahamas from April 27 to May 7, 2017.

Nigeria won the African championship twice, in 2007 and 2009 while Madagascar is the defending champion. Endit