TheCable

Abu Azeez, a key part of the Nigerian Beach Soccer team, is confident that the Super Sand Eagles can make it past the quarterfinals of the Beach Soccer World Cup.

Azeez stated that Mexico will definitely not be a threat to Nigeria but accepted that the experienced Italian team is the clear favourite in the group.

“I know that the draw is a fair one for us because Mexico is coming into the tournament for the first time,” Azeez told told TheCable.

“We are more experienced than Mexico. We have always been there.

“Italy is the only country that I believe will be a threat to our qualifying to the quarter finals in the group.

“Italy is a team with more experience and exposure than the Nigerian team.

The former Enyimba FC player said the Super Sand Eagles can excel at the championship if they prepares adequately and the players are well motivated.

“But with adequate preparation ahead of the World Cup, I think we should be able to edge the Italians because of our physical style of play.

“With adequate preparation and motivation, we should be able to win the Mexican team, the Italian team and whichever team that will be in our group from Asia.

“With the current squad we have unlike when Italy hosted the World Cup in Ravenna where Nigeria went with just nine players, we can surpass that quarter final stage with adequate preparation.

“At the moment, there’s no preparation plans on ground because the coach is yet to pass any information to the players.

“We are just waiting an hoping we will start preparation soon for us to perform well in Bahamas,”Azeez said.

The Beach Soccer World Cup will take place in Nassau, capital city of Bahamas, between April 27 and May 7.