The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Copa Lagos

  • Adamu selects 10 players for COPA Lagos

    Adamu selects 10 players for COPA Lagos

    Ten players have been selected at the Brinin Kebbi camp of the Super Sand Eagles for the COPA Lagos Beach Soccer Tournament, opening in Lagos on December 8.

    The Head Coach of the team, Audu Adamu, said in Lagos on Thursday that the new team would represent Nigeria at the CAF Beach Soccer tournament, billed for Egypt next year.

    “These selected players will represent us at the World Cup qualifiers in Egypt. I have so much hope in them and I’m confident that they will deliver.

    “Our performance in COPA Lagos will further reveal to us where we need to work on and improve on,’’ Adamu said.

    The players selected are Paul Danjuma of Kastina United, Arome Isah of Sambrin FC Kogi, Victor Tale (Captain) of Kogi United FC, Emmanuel Oweferia and Taiwo Adams both of Owibeseb FC Ojo.

    Others are Ekujumi Eganosi and Emeka Ogbonna both are of Lead UTD FC in Ojo, Lagos, Abu Azizz of Rangers FC Enugu, Suleiman Muhammed of Ifeanyi Uba FC and Bulangi Umar of Kebbi Beach Soccer.

    The four new players, who made the team are Muhammed, Umar, Eganosi and Ogbonna.

    The Managing Director of Kinetic Sports, Samson Adamu, the organizers of COPA Lagos, said that this year’s event would be huge because of the partnership with the Lagos State Government.

    “We have come a long way and with our partnership with Lagos State, we know things will only get better.

    “Already because of this partnership, one of the most renowned coaches in the world Tehina Rota of Tahiti would help train our home-based coaches,’’ he said.

    The Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Steve Ayorinde, said that Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode was partnering with the tournament organizers as part of his commitment to making Lagos a centre of attraction.

    Read also: Arsenal Beach Soccer Team Arrives Today as Lagos State Supports COPA Lagos

    “Tourism, arts and sports are sectors that our amiable governor understands to be the oil sector, we have seen Kinetic Sports manage COPA Lagos and the tournament has all these traits.

    “We believe in the future of COPA Lagos and we are ready to continuously work harder to ensure that we tap into every area this tournament comprises of.

    “Talking about sports, fashion, music, tourism, all these and more are embedded in COPA Lagos and will keep our youths engaged during the festive period,’’ he said.

    The Special Adviser to the Governor on Sports, Deji Tinubu, said that Lagos State was proud to be a part of the success story of Kinetic Sports.

    “Samson is a Nigerian youth that has single-handedly organised a tournament of this magnitude for almost a decade now; because of his consistency he is a success story.

    “I want our youths to challenge themselves, nothing is too small as long as you have passion for it and you have a vision that sees beyond your challenges.’’

    The COPA Lagos tournament is to hold from December 8 to December 10 at Eko Atlantic City in Victoria Island, Lagos.

    NAN

  • COPA Lagos 2017: First four female celebrities unveiled

    COPA Lagos 2017: First four female celebrities unveiled

    COPA Lagos, the annual beach soccer tournament organized by Kinetic Sports has unveiled a list of the female celebrities that will be participating in the edition of COPA Lagos, which is set to hold on the 9th of December.
    COPA Lagos has consistently stepped up the ante every year since its inception. Kinetic Sports, organizers of the event spare nothing in its quest to deliver the total package during the annual event.
    Over the years, remarkable progress has been made in terms of the quality of organization, discovery of beach soccer talents, media mileage, interface with the private and public sectors.
    Last year, male celebrities at COPA Lagos were pitched against each other in two teams – Team Dbanj and Team Victor Ikpeba. Team Dbanj comprised the likes of Peter Okoye of P-Square, Samson Adamu – CEO of Kinetic Sports, organizers of the event, and Beat FM On-Air-Personality – Jimi. While Victor Ikpeba’s team had other ex-Nigerian internationals such as Aloy Agu in goal, Waidi Akanni, Victor Agali, Mutiu Adepoju, Ifeanyi Udeze and Frank Edoho – former host of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.
    The ex-internationals dominated the match – small wonder they won by a 2 – 1 scoreline.
    This year as expected, asides the regular beach soccer tournament, male celebrity match, fashion show, music event, elaborate closing ceremony and after-party – COPA Lagos will for the first time in seven years have a female celebrity match!
    The official list of the female celebrities that will be participating at COPA Lagos 2017: Bolanle Olukanni, Wofai (Fada), Sharon Oja, Kaylah Oniwo, Beverly Osu, Ann Agumanu amd Destiny Amaka,
    For the past events, the ladies have only come to the arena as spectators and guest, this time we watch the battle it out in the sand. They will hit the sand running with their beach soccer skills – which will be an interesting watch.
    Asides the uniqueness of the Female Celebrity Match, COPA Lagos is deliberate in its key messaging that emphasizes the all-inclusive nature of the tournament. Their active involvement in COPA Lagos is a most welcome development that will surely have a great impact on the tournament.

  • Players threaten boycott of COPA Lagos

    Players threaten boycott of COPA Lagos

    Some Sand Super Eagles players on Wednesday threatened to boycott the forthcoming 2017 COPA Lagos Beach Soccer Tournament if their outstanding allowances are not paid.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered that 10 players and five officials are yet to be paid their match allowances from the 2017 World Cup which took place in the Bahamas in April.

    The Captain of the team Isiaka Olawale told NAN that the players were not happy with the development, adding that the team’s endurance had been overstretched.

    “As the captain of the team, I’m tired, my teammates keep calling asking me questions I obviously do not have answers to, and it’s so unfortunate.

    “As it is now, I’m not sure that players are interested in participating in COPA Lagos as it is, we cannot keep giving our best and they keep treating us like we don’t matter.

    “We keep giving our all for the national team, while our clubs suffer, that won’t continue; to whom much is given much is expected.

    “I have been trying to calm my team players down, and that’s why we have kept quiet for this long since April, they keep treating us like dirt,’’he said.

    The captain told NAN that he had even reached out to the authorities, but to no avail.

    “I have called the Minister of Sports, I called the President Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to call their attention to this, but still nothing has been done, in fact they have stopped picking my calls.

    “The only person that keeps appealing to us is the Vice-Chairman Seyi Akinwunmi, he picks my calls to assure us, but for how long am I going to keep calling.

    “We love our country, but the love for our country will not pay our bills and take care of our families,’’ the captain said.

    The Head Coach of the team Audu Ejo, also said the players were not happy.

    “My boys are not happy and I honestly sympathise with them; I have gone to NFF boss, LMC boss, Olawale the captain has also made several calls.

    “I make sure I go to wherever they are having meetings to remind them, but as we speak nothing has been done.

    “Some of my players are soon going to be homeless because they can’t afford their rents,’’ he said.

    The coach who has won the COPA Lagos tourney three consecutive times told NAN that the players have categorically told him they won’t answer his call for the Kinetic Sports organised tournament.

    “They didn’t mince words with me, they said they won’t play, but I believe they said that due to anger.

    “I do go round to appeal to them, that’s what I normally do, I don’t call them on the phone.

    “I have to beg, if not for the way I relate with them like they are my children, I don’t know where I will get fresh players to camp for five or ten days and expect results.

    “Beach soccer is not easy, it is hard, and if these players don’t play; getting dedicated players will be hard, but I believe the effort of Mr Akinwunmi and Shehu Dikko, will help resolve this.

    However, the NFF vice-president, Akinwunmi declined comment on the matter and referred NAN to the Secretary of the federation, Sanusi Mohammed.

    All effort to reach the secretary proved abortive.

    NAN reports that the COPA Lagos beach soccer tournament will hold from Dec. 8 to Dec. 10 at the Eko Atlantic City, Victoria Island, Lagos.

  • Adamu names 12 players for Copa Lagos/AFCON Beach Soccer

    Adamu names 12 players for Copa Lagos/AFCON Beach Soccer

    Nigeria’s Supersand Eagles head coach, Audu Adamu, has picked 12 players that will represent the country at the annual global beach soccer tournament, Copa Lagos and the 2016 Africa Beach Soccer Cup of Nations.
    The list made available to NationSport on Saturday has two goalkeepers: Godwin Anyalogu (Kwara United) and Godwin Tale (Lokoja FC).
    The defenders are Ogbonaya Okemmiri (Abia Warriors FC), Igudia Godspower (Akwa United), Tale Victor (Bassa United), Owheferia Emmanuel (Owibeseb FC) and Lukman Ibrahim (Kada Beach Soccer)
    While the strikers include Olawale Isiaka (Elkanemi Warriors), Abu Azeez (Enyimba International), Ogbonna Emeka (Leads United FC), Suleiman Ogodo (Ifeanyi Uba FC) and Badmus Babatunde (Owibeseb FC).
    Adamu informed NationSport that the players were selected on merit and based on current form out of the 18 players in camp as he could not afford to take any chances.
    Organised by Kinetic Sports, the Copa Lagos will hold on Sunday, 11th December at Eko Atlantic City in Lagos, while the Beach Soccer Nations Cup, a championship of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), will hold at the same venue from 13th-18th December.
    The Super Sand Eagles will battle the National beach soccer team of Switzerland in the final game of the Copa Lagos before facing Egypt, Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire in Group A of the Beach AFCON. Defending champions, Madagascar will battle Libya, Morocco and Senegal in Group B.
    The Beach AFCON will serve as Africa’s qualifying event for the 2017 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup taking place in The Bahamas.

  • FCMB to sponsor COPA Lagos

    First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited has renewed its pledge to continuously sponsor the COPA Lagos Beach Soccer tournament. The lender said it would support this year’s edition of the sporting fiesta.

    Speaking during a briefing in Lagos, the bank’s Group Head of Corporate Affairs, Diran Olojo, said the tournament, organised yearly by Kinetic Sports Limited, would hold at the Eko Atlantic City in Victoria Island, Lagos, from December 11 to 18.

    He said the bank’s renewal of the sponsorship was a re-affirmation of its commitment to sports and youth development in Nigeria.

    ‘’We are excited to be the headline sponsor of the COPA Lagos once again in partnership with Kinetic Sports. At FCMB, we believe in supporting initiatives that add value to the well-being of people and the society. Sports, particularly, the game of soccer is a key passion point for many. Aligning our brand with this prestigious global event is a continuation of our corporate philosophy to always connect with and develop sustainable relationship with people across demographic and socio economic classes,’’ he said.

    Olojo noted that considering the huge opportunities sports offers Nigerians and itsnational unity cohesion, the tournament gives the right platform to reach out not only to customers of FCMB, but Nigerians across all segments.

    ‘’When we got involved in the tournament six years ago, we saw the level of engagement and excitement people, fans, the participating countries and other stakeholders expressed. This year, soccer fans should expect more fun-filled engagements from FCMB during the COPA Lagos. Our participation will be bigger, better and memorable,’’ he said.

    Kinetic Sports  Managing Director, Samson Adamu, said this year’s COPA Lagos Beach Soccer tournament would dovetail into the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Beach Soccer tournament, which Nigeria is hosting from December 13 to 18.

     

  • COPA LAGOS 2015 SUPER SAND EAGLES BEAT ENGLAND 8-6

    COPA LAGOS 2015 SUPER SAND EAGLES BEAT ENGLAND 8-6

    • Cote d’ Ivoire remains unbeaten
    • Shooting Stars, FC Barcelona grab victory

    SHOOTING STARS football club of Ibadan bounced back from their opening day loss to Barcelona with a 4-3 win over PepsI Football Academy to kick off Copa Lagos 2015 matchday two action.

    The second game of the day was a goal fest as European Beach soccer club Champions, FC Barcelona thrashed Kano Pillars 8-3.

    Cote d’ivoire remained undefeated with a narrow 5-4 victory over Lebanon. A last minute goal had to decide matters as both sides were fighting back and forth, exchanging goals and leads throughout.

    The win keeps Cote d’ivoire in control of their destiny going into theit final match against England today. Fans and spectators trooped in large numbers to watch  the celebrity match as ex internationals squared up against entertainers.

    Team entertainers had the likes of Sound Sultan, Mozez Praiz, Shina Rambo in thier starting line up. Ex internationals Mutiu Adepoju, Victor Ikpeba also featured in the celebrity match. The last game of the day produced a lot of fireworks as Nigeria’s Super Sand Eagles recorded an impressive 8-6 victory over England. Audu Adamu Ejor tutored side showed signs of improvement from their opening day loss to Cote d’iviore. They next face Lebanon.

  • 2015 COPA Lagos tournament: Super Sand Eagles to reclaim trophy, says Kwande

    2015 COPA Lagos tournament: Super Sand Eagles to reclaim trophy, says Kwande

    As different teams converge in camp for the 2015 Copa Lagos Beach Soccer Tournament, starting on December 18 , Hon. Suleiman Yahaya-Kwande, the chairman of the Beach Soccer of the Nigerian Football Federation has said that the Super Sand Eagles is poised to win the tournament this year.

    In the same vein, Isiaka Olawale, captain of the Super Sand Eagles, believes that the five-year experience of the team would set them aside this year.

    Based on the antecedent of the team in previous Copa Lagos competitions,  Olawale said the Super Sand Eagles won the Copa Lagos beach soccer tournament for three consecutive years from 2011 -2013 but lost it to Cote D’Ivoire at the Fourth edition last year with a slim goal margin of 5 – 4.

    Earlier in the year, the Super Sand Eagles defeated the Ivorian Beach Soccer Team twice at the World Cup African qualifiers that took place in Seychelles earlier in the year. Although, the team was defeated by the Senegalese Beach Soccer Team at the semi-finals thus ending their quest for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup that took place in Portugal.

    This year’s edition of Copa Lagos will feature FC Barcelona Club, Cote D’Ivoire, Lebanon Beach Soccer national team, Kano Pillars & Shooting Stars Football Club of Ibadan. There is also a lineup of other national teams expected to partake in the tournament to be announced later.

  • Ejo invites Ibenegbu, 19 others for Copa Lagos

    Ejo invites Ibenegbu, 19 others for Copa Lagos

    Head Coach of the Super Sand Eagles Audu Adamu Ejo has invited 20 players for this year’s Copa Lagos Beach Soccer tournament.

    The tournament which takes place from December 18th- 20th will see the Sand Eagles make attempt to reclaim the title they lost to neighbours Cote D’Ivoire in last year’s final.

    Leading the pack is Warri Wolves FC of Warri midfielder Bartholomew Ibenegbu who is the new captain of the team and was part of the team that finished third at this year’s CAF Beach Soccer Tournament in Seychelles.

    Others include the trio of Victor Tale, Emeka Ogbonna and Abu Azeez of Warri Wolves.

    The players are expected to arrive their Hunwaji Hotel, Badagry latest 29th November.

     

  • Senegal back at Copa Lagos

    Senegal back at Copa Lagos

    Afterfinishing third on the final standings of in  last year’s Copa Lagos, Senegal are now bracing to display their credentials again this month in the 2014 Beach Soccer tournament in Lagos.

    Senegal have established themselves as one of Africa’s leading Beach Soccer team after conquering the continent en route to the FIFA Beach World Cup held in Tahiti last year.

    Last year at the Eko Atlantic Beach, Senegal displayed so much finesse, and they would want to put their last year’s disappointment of not winning the championship behind them.

    The Beach Terranga Lions will definitely face serious competition this year from hosts, Nigeria, Ghana and Ivory Coast.

    Senegal were invited by the organisers of the Copa Lagos to replace Switzerland who were asked to withdraw from the competition.

    Reports had earlier suggested that Switzerland would not come to Nigeria as they were scared of Ebola disease, but the head of the Copa Lagos Beach Soccer tournament, Samson Adamu rubbished the report when speaking to supersport.com.

    “As I am talking to you now, Switzerland officials are still begging to come for this year’s competition, but we told them that we want this year’s edition to be all African teams and that was the reason while we replaced them with Senegal,” Adamu told supersport.com.

    Meanwhile, the Senegalese are expected to bring a number of their best legs to the beach of Lagos this month.

    Famous amongst the players that would exhibit their talents at the Eko Atlantic Beach are captain, Mamadou Sylla, Haruna Babacar, El Seyni Ndiaye, Pape Koukpaki and Lerin Tonan.

    This year’s Copa Lagos Beach Soccer championship will start next week Friday, and will come to an end on Sunday in Lagos.

  • COPA LAGOS WILL BE FUN – MFOM UDOH

    COPA LAGOS WILL BE FUN – MFOM UDOH

    The  highest goal scorer and record breaker of 23 goals in the Nigerian premier league Mfom Udoh of Enyimba Fc has said that COPA LAGOS 2014 will all be  entertaining and fun packed.

    The mercuria goal scorer says judging by the past Copa Lagos events and line up activites for this year which is a ground breaking event with the inclusion of Clubs participation in the Barcelona challenge potends, the events will all be exciting and fun all the way. He says futher that the events will also provide people and participants the opputunity of meeting their TV Idols in the Nigerian  Movie and Music world for which he can’t wait to be there.

     Udoh sums up his expectations by saying Copa Lagos will be another learning rope in his career, puting into consideration that he will be featuring in beach football for the first time.