By Saheed Afolabi
The final phase of the 2023 Nigeria Beach Soccer League (NBSL) reaches a crucial stage on Saturday with teams picking points in a bid to win the title.
HOW IT HAPPENED
After a 7-6 loss to Kebbi United BSC on Friday which ended their six-match unbeaten run, 2021 champions, Kebbi BSC returned to winning ways.
In a clash between the two past winners of the league, Kebbi Fishers edged Kada BSC 3-2.
Ekene Obi’s hat-trick ensured that goals from Dozie Frank and Victor Tale didn’t cause consecutive losses for the host team.
The last game of the Matchday saw holders, Kada BSC bouncing back from the morning loss with a whopping 7-1 win against Nmanko Patigi BSC.
Olalekan Oladepo became the first and only goalkeeper to score in the league this season as he opened the scoring for Kada BSC with the first chance of the game.
Victor Tale and Dozie Frank both scored two goals for the Kaduna-based side during the game.
Elsewhere, Nmanko Patigi BSC defeated Smart City BSC 3-0, the same scoreline in which Kebbi United secured a win over Ibom BSC.
The league will be concluded on Sunday with the final Matchday which the league Champions will emerge.
WHAT THEY SAID
Ekene Obi (Kebbi BSC player)
“It was a nice game to play today despite yesterday’s loss. I believe we went back to correct some things which made us strike well. With the way we played today, if we play our next game like that, we are going to be the champions of the league and I hope so.
“I think this season is the best so far. The way the league goes with no underdogs. We are doing our best. I give kudos to every team as it wasn’t easy. We did our best as a team to prove that we are the best and number one in Africa. I hope we will continue like this.
“We expect more from each state to participate in the league so that as time goes on we have more teams to compete compared to what we are seeing now.
Coach Kabiru Isa (Kada BSC)
“In the game of football, it is black and white. It is showing us the black part of it now. I believe subsequently, we would try and cover up.
“In football, if you don’t capitalise on your chances, it goes back to fight at you again. That was what happened. We will go back to the drawing board again to make amendments and see how we will utilise our chances again. Practically we lost some chances which I wasn’t happy about.
“Reshuffling because of the situation that we are facing in the country, we have to trim the team down so that we can manage ourselves due to the transportation issues. We had to trim the team down.
“The league is improving every season. The game is improving totally and I give kudos to the league for what they have been doing.”
Abdullahi Yahya (Kebbi BSC Team Manager)
“Everything worked as planned because, after the loss yesterday, we were able to talk to ourselves, analyse our mistakes, and tell ourselves that the only way for us to maintain the lead is for us to learn from the mistakes of yesterday by winning the remaining two matches because that is the only thing that would guarantee that we would be crowned champions at the end of the day. Of course, we are taking it one game at a time. Today’s mission is accomplished. We will still go back to our drawing board and analyse the game to see where we need to improve in order to win tomorrow’s game which will ensure that we are crowned champions in our home ground.
“It was quite motivational for us. Having such calibre of people in attendance to watch our game. It was only the Governor that was not around and it really made all the difference and was one of our driving forces. I think they would have seen what we have achieved in the state. Hopefully, we will bring the trophy back home and take it to the State Government and everyone that has contributed.
“The league has been quite impressive in every aspect season in season out which is quite commendable. To start this kind of project is not easy. We hope to see more improvement going forward so that the league will be one of the best in the world and not only in Africa.”