• Beat Senegal 4-2
• Abu Azeez wins MVP
Nigeria’s Super Sand Eagles retained the Copa Lagos Beach Soccer title for the 3rd time after defeating Senegal 4-2 in their last match played at the Eko Atlantic Beach Soccer Stadium on Sunday.
With the victory Nigeria finished top with 9 points while Senegal was placed 2nd with 6 points.
The coach Audu Adamu-led side had defeated Germany 7-1 in their opening game before making a hard-fought 10-9 victory over Lebanon in their second game.
The highly explosive encounter played in front of a mammoth crowd could only produce a goal in the first quarter as the goalkeepers from both teams were able to put up some great saves.
Sand Eagles forward Babatunde Badmus was able to break the deadlock towards the later stages of the firts quarter, firing from the left flank to beat the Senegalese keeper, Faye Ndongo Sanoy. Both teams could not convert the numerous chances that came their as the quarter ended 1-0 in favour of Nigeria.
The second quarter saw both putting their all into the game but with no goal to show for their efforts. Senegal, however, levelled up from a well taken direct kick to beat the Nigerian keeper, Oladapo Olalekan who replaced Abdul Isa to end the 2nd quarter at 1-1.
Abu Azeez, who had been a torn in the flesh of the Senegalese team, sent the fans into wild jubilation tapping in from close range after being set up by Victor Tale to make it 2-1.
Two goals in the spate of three minutes from Victor Tale and Ogbonna Emeka saw the Sand Eagles increase the scoreline to 4-1.
Senegal gave a fightback with Babacar Fall scoring a cracking long-range shot that beat the Nigerian keeper. The goal, however, came in late as the Sand Eagles were able to hold on for the game to end 4-2.
Kwara United star, Abu Azeez was named the tournament’s MVP. Abu, who had an impressive tournament, scored a hat-trick in the first game and hit the net once in Sunday’s encounter.