By Aderonke Ojediran-Lawal
Lagos – The Head Coach, Sand Super Eagles, Audu Ejo, says the release of players from Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) clubs has been secured for the 2017 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 2017 Beach Soccer World Cup, the 9th edition, is scheduled to hold in Belarus, The Bahamas, from April 27 to May 7.
Nigeria which made its last appearance at the 2015 edition in Portugal and Senegal will represent Africa at the competition.
Ejo, who made the assertion in an interview with NAN on Thursday in Lagos, said the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had sent letters for their release to the concerned clubs.
“The NFF has written letters for the players’ release to the concerned clubs, so, we don’t have problem with getting to camp.
“The national team in all countries is bigger than any club and Nigeria is not different; we have players from Enyimba, WIkki Tourist and other clubs,’’ he said.
Ejo disclosed to NAN that the players would start camping by March 12.
“In less than two weeks from now, we will resume camping at Badagry, and by April 14, we should begin a training tour of Florida where we are expected to play two friendly matches.
“We will play friendly matches against Russia and the host Bahamas, and in our Lagos camp, we will play a friendly match against Ghana and Ivory Coast.
Brazil are by far the most successful nation, with 13 titles since the competition’s inception in 1995.
However, their hold on the title has become less apparent since the tournament came under the control of FIFA and moved outside of Rio.
They are followed by Russia (2011 and 2013) and Portugal (2001 and 2015) with two wins each, and France with one title (2005).
France won the first FIFA-sanctioned tournament in 2005. Brazil and Portugal are the only teams to win the world championship before and after FIFA started sanctioning the sport.
Overall, 17 of the 42 nations who have ever competed have made a top four finish.
Brazil remains the only nation to finish in the final four of every championship until 2015 when they finished in fifth place.
Of those 17 nations, only 7 have made a top four finish before and after FIFA started sanctioning the World Cup.
