The Super Sand Eagles Head Coach, Abdullahi Isa says its friendly matches with Senegal will be beneficial as it prepares for the 2026 Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations (BSAFCON) qualifiers.
Isa made the submission in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Kaduna, noting that the two-series friendly would provide quality competition to the team.
The coach said that Senegal, as the tournament’s defending champions, would provide a stern test for the team to prepare adequately for its two-legged qualifier against Ghana.
“We played Senegal on Oct.3 and lost but valuable lessons were learnt as we prepared for the second friendly. “We have met Senegal several times in the past; they have beaten us and we have also beaten them.
“The matches provide an opportunity to reunite with old friends, including Senegal’s Head coach, Jean Sylla among others,” he said.
Isa who is the Golden Eaglets Goalkeeper Trainer, thanked the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for organising the friendlies and its Senegalese counterpart for accepting the invitation.
“The friendlies would enable the technical crew to assess the players, identify areas of improvement ahead of the Ghanaian encounter.
“The team is focused on the task ahead and hope to translate the friendlies’ experience into a credible outing against Ghana,” he said. Nigeria lost 4-6 to Senegal in the first friendly played on Saturday at the Murtala Muhammed Square Beach Soccer pitch, Kaduna.
Abdullahi Hassan scored all Nigeria’s four goals while Senegal’s goals came through Laye Diagne, Mamadou Sylla, who scored a hat-trick, Ninou Diatta and Asane Ba. The second friendly between both teams is scheduled for Monday by 9 a.m., at the same venue.
