NIGERIA BEGINS FIFA BEACH WORLD CUP CAMPAIGN

Nigeria are taking part in their fourth FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup beginning tomorrow in Italy.

The Nigerian team is built around a core of veterans from the Dubai 2009 campaign, the Nigerian squad arrive in Italy after finishing runners-up in the CAF qualifying tournament held from 16 to 19 June 2011 in Casablanca, Morocco.

The Beach Eagles lost the deciding match to Senegal, who have become their arch-adversaries at continental level. Partial consolation came in the form of the top scorers' crown which went to Isiaka Olawale, whose goals propelled his team to the final.

Nigeria are aiming to reassert their supremacy in African beach soccer, after the disappointment of losing the regional final to Senegal.

They have a golden opportunity to do so in Ravenna, where head coach Adamu Audu has asked the Nigerian Football Federation to begin the build-up programme slightly earlier than planned.