Nigeria’s Supersand Eagles are returning to life and consequently international competition with a fixture against Libya in July.
This followed the confirmation of their fixture by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The Nigerian side will battle Libya in a two-leg playoff for a spot at this year’s Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to be hosted by Mozambique.
They are two-time African champions, having won the then African Beach Soccer Championship in 2007 and 2009, and were runners-up in 2010.
The team also reached the quarter-finals of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Italy in 2011, losing to Brazil after extra time.
Mozambique will host this year’s Beach Soccer AFCON from Oct. 21 to Oct. 30.
The playoffs will have the first leg holding from July 22 to July 24 and the second leg holding from Aug. 5 to Aug. 7.
All seven winners of the two-leg playoffs will join hosts Mozambique at the finals.
The two finalists in Mozambique will represent Africa at next year’s FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup finals in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
ALL THE FIXTURES (First-named teams to host the first leg matches)
Seychelles Vs Madagascar
Comoros Vs Uganda
Malawi Vs Tanzania
Libya Vs Nigeria
Cote d’Ivoire Vs Morocco
Cameroon Vs Senegal
Ghana Vs Egypt
Similarly, the Falconets’ Head Coach Chris Danjuma has invited 30 players to the national under-20 women team’s camp for preparations for this year’s FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup finals in Costa Rica.
Nigeria has never missed a FIFA Under-20 Women’s Championship since the competition began as an Under-19 Championship in Canada 20 years ago.
They have now been drawn to take on France, Canada and Korea Republic in Group C of this year’s tournament scheduled for Costa Rica from Aug. 10 to Aug. 28.
All invited players are to report in Abuja on Sunday, according to a statement on Friday by the Communications Department of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
The Falconets overcame challenges from Central African Republic (CAR), Republic of Congo, Cameroon and Senegal to qualify for the World Cup.
The mundial is a competition which they have been runners-up twice (2010 and 2014) and reached the semi-finals in 2012.
ALL THE INVITED PLAYERS
Goalkeepers: Nelly Ekeh; Monle Oyono; Inyene Etim; Peace Obidinma
Defenders: Oluwatosin Demehin; Omowunmi Oshobukola; Rofiat Imuran; Jumoke Alani; Motunrayo Ezekiel; Rihanat Kasali; Oluwabunmi Oladeji; Oluchi Ohaegbulem
Midfielders: Bashirat Amoo; Esther Onyenezide; Adoo Yina; Chidinma Ogbuchi; Chinyere Kalu; Amarachi Odoma; Chioma Olise; Favour Emmanuel; Deborah Ajibola
Forwards: Joy Jerry; Mercy Idoko; Flourish Sebastine; Taiwo Lawal; Precious Vincent; Blessing Okpe; Juliet Adebowale; Joy Omewa; Chiamaka Okwuchukwu
