Sand Rangers Anegbette Beach Soccer club have emerged champions of the Edo state Beach Soccer Championship after defeating Buffalos Okpellja Beach Soccer club by 10 goals to 3 .
The Championship took place inside the beach soccer Anegbette community, Etsako central local government Edo state.
The Anegbette Rangers tutored by Coach Moses Ogu hit the ground running from the blast of the whistle to dictate the pace of the game as they sealed up the first period by 3 goals to 1.
On resuming into the 2nd period, Buffalo Okpela BSC thought they have found their mojo as they gave out a fight only for them to be blown away by the Anegbette Rangers BSC who extended their lead by 4 goals to finish the 2nd period by 7goals to 4.
In the final period, Sand Rangers of Anegbette BSC ran riots over Okpela Buffalos BSC to the delights of thousands of fans who came out to watch the game of Beach soccer which has been used as a mini festival in the Anegbette clan.
Anegbette United BSC were awarded 3 goals to nil as they walked over Egbaigbai BSC who failed show up as at the time of the kick off.
Responding to questions from Journalists who were on ground to cover the tournament, President of the Africa Beach Soccer Union (ABSU) Mahmud Hadejia described the tournament as very important one as the game of beach soccer is the fastest growing sport in the world.
He gave kudos to the brain behind the Edo State Beach Soccer tournament, Chief Francis Osigbemhe Awoefe describing him as a man who is committed and dedicated to see to the development of Beach Soccer in the country.
According to him, sponsorship of the tournament by chief Awoefe is a good way to motivate his community.
“I must tell you that this is my first time in Anegbette Community and what brought me here is Beach Soccer courtesy of my brother here Mr Francis Awoefe”,
“He has placed the clan of Anegbette on the world map today because the world was watching from the livestream portal. I want to appreciate him and we hope that very soon National engagement will be coming to this place”, he said
On his part, Chief Francis Awoefe appreciated everyone who came out to be part of this year’s edition of the Beach Soccer Tournament to make it a success.
“I saw the game of Beach Soccer at the COPA Lagos in 2011 and I decided that I will make it a project for my people and look at where we are today”,
“It has served as festival for my people and it has helped to take away social vices, communities have come together in harmony to be part of this year’s edition”.
Champions Sand Rangers Anegbette BSC went home with a trophy and #300,000 with Buffalos Okpela BSC going home with #150,000 as 1st runner up. Anegbette BSC who finished as 2nd runners up went home with #100,000.
Top dignitaries who graced the final are representative of the Oliola of Anegbete and Clan Head of South Uneme His Royal Highness Godfrey Yakubu Momodu (GYM) Ugbodaga , President of the African Beach Soccer Union Mahmud Hadejia, Chief Francis Osigbemhe MD/CEO Habital Care Foundation and many more.
