The second round of the fifth season of the Nigeria Beach Soccer League has begun at the Moonshine Arena Stadium in Nnewi, Anambra.
In the opening match, the hosts, Anambra Beach Soccer Warriors, were defeated on penalties by the defending champions, Kebbi Fishers Beach Soccer Club. The game ended with a 6-5 penalty shootout victory for Kebbi Fishers after regulation time finished with a 2-2 tie.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that other teams participating in the competition are Kebbi United BSC, Kada BSC, Nmanko Patigi BSC, Jigawa Golden Star BSC, Ibom BSC, and Niger BSC.
Anambra is hosting the League for the second time, courtesy of the Anambra State Beach Soccer Association (ABSA).
Speaking at the event, Mahmud Hadejia, the Coordinator and President of the Nigeria Beach Soccer League said players from the league would be selected by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to represent the country at global tournaments.
Hadejia who commended ABSA for playing a leading role in the development of beach soccer in southern Nigeria, bestowed an award of recognition on Victor Madubuko, chairman of the association for his ‘Outstanding Contributions’ to the NBSL.
He said the America-based professor was a man of passion, dedication, and relentless efforts in developing the game from the grassroots level.
Hadijia said NBSL was partnering with the NFF to ensure that the league was successful at home and competitive abroad.
He said Madubuko had an ambitious vision for the sport, which led him to create an artificial beach sand pitch of international standard that would later become a central hub for talent discovery and development in Anambra and beyond.
“His work has provided a critical platform for engaging young talents, offering them opportunities for sporting excellence, skill development, and potential employment,” he said.
On his part, Madubuko dedicated the award to players, supporters, and believers in beach soccer in Anambra.
He said his goal was to make the game a frontline sport in Anambra, adding that the award was a huge motivation for him to do more.
Madubuko commended the Anambra government for private sector intervention in sports, just as he called for support for the ABSA to enable it to achieve the aim of getting more youths out of the streets, especially at the grassroots
