Arsenal
Beach Soccer Club started their campaign yesterday with an 11-9 victory over
Kebbi BSC at the on-going Copa Lagos Beach Soccer Tournament. It was the first
match of the competition, which is featuring four clubsides and four national
teams at the Eko Atlantic.
The Gunners led in each of the three
quarters, winning 4-3 in the first quarter. The Kebbi boys, who were cheered by
their governor, Abubakar Atiku Baguda, fought back in the second stanza to tie
at 4-4, but a sudden loss of concentration saw them falling 8-6 at the end.
The third quarter was thrilling as
Arsenal widened the gap to 10 -7 only for Kebbi to narrow it to 10-9. But
when Governor Baguda and other Nigerians were expecting an upset, the Gunners
struck with two late goals to win the game by 11-9.
The defeat
notwithstanding, Governor Baguda praised the Kebbi team for the effort and
promised to continue to support them to excel in beach soccer.
Meanwhile, players and officials of
Arsenal are waiting anxiously to have Nigerian players in their mix. To them,
it will be a good thing for young Nigerians to follow the footsteps of the duo
of Kanu Nwankwo and Alex Iwobi, who have made their mark with Arsenal FC.
Speaking with The Guardian on
arrival for the tournament, team captain, Aaron Clarke said it would be a thing
of joy to see some Nigerian beach soccer players team up with them.
“Nigerians are very talented and I
will want them to join us in the Arsenal beach soccer team the same way Kanu
Nwankwo played for Arsenal FC some years ago and Alex Iwobi is currently doing
for the team,” the captain stated.
Another member of the squad, a
coach/player, Terry Bowes praised Nigerians for the support they give to
Arsenal FC.
The Copa Lagos, which has Guardian
Newspapers as one of its major partners, started yesterday with a colourful
display of soccer by the participating teams.
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