NAN-S-5
Soccer
By Olanrewaju Akojede
Lagos, Dec. 19, 2016 (NAN) Babacar Fally, a Senegal player and the
highest goal scorer at the just-concluded CAF Beach Soccer Africa Cup
of Nations, has said that beach soccer is his country’s strong
`territory’.
Fally, who scored 11 goals to win the golden boot of the tournament, said
that beach soccer was popular in Senegal.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Senegalese
team on Sunday claimed its fourth title at the competition, making the
country the most successful on beach soccer in Africa.
The team has been an arch-rival of Nigeria’s Supersand Eagles, with
fourth straight win over the Nigerian side.
The team had twice denied victory to Supersand Eagles in the finals
on home soil.
On exploits on beach soccer, Fally said that the game was an
`idol’ to Senegal, adding that the country’s dominance in the competition was
expected.
“Beach soccer is popular in our country; we also prepare well
ahead of any tournament. We have beaches in our country where children
play for fun.
“We will make sure that we do well in the World Cup; we want to play
beach soccer on and on,’’ he said.
NAN reports that Senegal defeated Nigeria 8-3 in a highly contested final
match at the Eko Atlantic City on Victoria Island, Lagos.
Nigeria’s Emeka Ogbonna picked the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the
tournament, while Segni Ndiaye of Senegal won the golden glove.
The winners of the competition and the runners-up will represent
Africa at the World Cup in Bahamas. (NAN)
KOJE/ESAN/IGO
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(Edited by Abiodun Esan/Ijeoma Popoola)