NFF President, Ibrahim Gusau assured Supersand Eagles of equal treatment with other nat’l teams
By Goodness Ekpang
President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau on Thursday inaugurated Futsal and Beach Soccer Sub-Committee headed by NFF Executive Committee member, Otuekong Nse Essien.
While inaugurating the sub-committee, Gusau said the federation is committed to ensuring that the Beach Soccer National Team, otherwise known as Supersand Eagles, enjoys the same attention as other National Teams, when restored to international competitions.
Gusau said, ““Nigeria is a big footballing nation, and it will be inappropriate if we continue to stay out of some activities that other African countries are involved in, football-wise. We will do whatever is necessary to restore Nigeria’s presence in futsal and beach soccer.
“I am assuring the committee that whether through financial or other means, futsal and beach soccer will enjoy equal treatment as other National Teams,” he said.
Recall that the Supersand Eagles brought honour to the country at various times in the past, winning the Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations in 2007 and 2009, winning a couple of silver medals at the same competition and also harvesting bronze medals on a couple of occasions. The team also represented Africa at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup on many occasions, including reaching the quarter-finals in Ravenna, Italy in 2011 before losing to Brazil in overtime.
Core Reporters understand that, NFF pull the team out of international competitions five years ago, after high-score losses at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Paraguay.
Members of the sub-committee include, Otuekong Nse Essie (committee’s chairman), Alhaji Ahmed Yusuf (Fresh); vice chairman. Others members are Hon. Suleiman Yahaya-Kwande; Mr. Richard Jideaka, Alhaji Aminu Mohammed Inuwa; Hajji Liameed Gafaar and; Yabagi Alhaji Baba, while the secretary is Abubakar D. Umar Barde).
