NIGERIA AND SENEGAL BAHAMAS BOUND
Two teams from Africa will make the long journey to The Bahamas in April to compete in the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2017 after qualifying at last week’s CAF Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations 2016.
Senegal was the first African nation to qualify, beating out Egypt 5-2. Nigeria then eased to a 6-1 win against Morocco taking the second and final spot for the region.
Senegal has participated in five Beach Soccer World Cups to date with quarter-final appearances in 2007 and 2011, representing their best finishes in their tournament history.
Nigeria participated in four Beach Soccer World Cups and like Senegal, their best finishes in the tournament’s history were quarter-final appearances in 2007 and 2011.
Senegal and Nigeria now join The Bahamas, Tahiti, Italy, Portugal, Poland and Switzerland who have all secured their spots in next year’s tournament.
“We are happy to welcome Senegal and Nigeria and all of their fans to our shores next year. We know that the entire continent of Africa will be tuned in to the exciting tournament in The Bahamas next year, and we will not disappoint,” said Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee Jeffrey Beckles.
“Both countries have had impressive showings in World Cups past and we expect them to bring the same level of energy and skill to Nassau for the fans to enjoy. The world will be well represented at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Bahamas 2017 and we are looking forward to high-level competition,” added President of the Bahamas Football Association Anton Sealy.
16 teams will face off on the white sands of Nassau, Bahamas April 27 to May 7 at a brand new state of the art facility.
Beach Soccer fans eagerly await the results of the upcoming tournaments for Asia, South America and the North, Central America and Caribbean regions.
The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) will host its regional World Cup qualifiers in Nassau at the new beach soccer stadium on February 20-26, 2017.
The 2017 CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship will see 16 teams from those regions compete for only two spots in next year’s Beach Soccer World Cup.
The CONCACAF qualifier also serves as the official test event for next year’s main event.