BY SAB OSUJI

The Second Round of the 2024 Nigeria Beach Soccer League came to athrilling end Saturday evening at the Nnewi High School Beach Soccer Pitch with Anambra Warrior emerge as overall winners, Exclusivenews.com.ng reports.

In enthralling grand finale, Anambra Warriors edged Kebbi United 3-2 to seal their place in the third round cum finals of the 2024 Nigeria Beach Soccer League billed for Kaduna later in the year.

Prior to the Anambra-Kebbi clash, Nmanko Pitigi BSC of Kwara delivered a stunning comeback performance against Jigawa BSC, emerging victorious with an impressive 8-6 scoreline.

The Lawal Olalekan side staged a remarkable turnaround from a 4-1 deficit in the first quarter to seize a 6-5 lead in the second quarter, ultimately clinching a thrilling 8-6 win by the end of the third quarter.

Emeka Ogbonna, a standout player for the Anambra Warriors and FIFA Africa’s Best Beach Soccer Player, stole the spotlight with a remarkable hat trick against his former club, Kebbi United. 

Reflecting on his stellar performance, Ogbonna expressed his elation and gratitude towards his teammates for their crucial role in the team’s success, emphasizing the collective effort that led to their triumph on the sandy battlefield

Delight with the near flawless organisation of the league and quality performance by the teams, Prof Victor Madubuko, Chairman of Anambra Beach Soccer Association, harped on success of the league.

“We decided to focus on Beach Soccer as a way to create opportunity for our young men,also as a way to engage them”, Madubuko said, adding that he was glad that the collaboration with stakeholders and sponsors including Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM) was yielding the desired result.

“I have been talking to some of my friends, encouraging them to form their own clubs.So,we're encouraging that and speaking with enthusiasts because i believe anything worth doing is worth doing well".

Chimobi Ekwo of Anambra State Beach Soccer Team, said they would not relent in their determination to excel in the Super Four Competition slated to hold in Kaduna.

Anambra Warriors were unbeaten in the Second Round games, winning their three matches with 3-2 scoreline respectively.