BSmag #01 - The Premiere (Beach Soccer Magazine)

BEACH

SOCCER

NO 01

MAGAZINE The Premiere 2 0 1 6

#IAMBEACHSOCCER

COPA LAGOS BEACHSOCCER 2016 EXCLUSIVE

INTERVIEWS

Joan Cusco, Samson Adamu, Madjer, Bruna Xavier, Alex Braga, Audu Adamu Nick Perera

MAD7ER

BY MADJER 2016 Collection

Soccer Fashion

LINEUP COVER PUBLISHERS T & S Club 24 Hayter Road, London, SW2, United Kingdom EDITOR IN CHIEF

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Copa Lagos Special Feature Abu Azeez

24 Sand Eagles Striker

Taye Olajide ASSOCIATE EDITOR

INTERVIEWS

Patricia TO PROOF READERS

Perera 32 Nick US Soccer

Joseph Akpokodje Muna Mangga COUNTRIBUTORS Massimiliano De-Celis Samuel Ahmadu Adjahoe Dzidodo Infinixoma (Fashion) PHOTO CREDITS BSWW GRAPHICS & LAYOUT.

Bruno Xavier

33 Brazil Beach Soccer Braga 34 Alex Lebanon Coach Soro Lohognon

40 Cote D’Ivoire Coach Audu Adamu

42 Sand Eagles Coach

GWG Signate Hub

Cheerleaders at Copa Lagos 2015 FEATURE

SPECIAL CONSULTANT. KEDE AIHE AD SALES Samson Mangga (AFRICA)

+234 80359 287 18 Josep Maldonado Smith (UK/IRELAND)

+34 605 3016 22 Esosa Aihie (London)

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Joan Cusco CEO, BSWW

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Madjer 2015, 2016 Best Player

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Mad7er by Madjer 2016 Collections

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Bo Beach Soccer Ambassabor

+44 20 7274 3875

@beachsoccermag bsmag bsmag www.beachsoccermag.com

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Samson Adamu The Copa Lagos Story

FEATURE

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2016 Beach Soccer Dream Team

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Massimiliano De-Celis Lets talk beach soccer

Welcome to the first edition of Beach Soccer Magazine!

(BSmag). We have been working diligently in the past months to bring the world of soccer played barefoot on sand, spiced with fashion and entertainment; all blended into a perfect cocktail for your infotainment.

BSmag all started 5 years ago, November 2011 in Dubai when I had my first live experience of a beach soccer game. Traveling thousands of air miles to the emirate city, I never knew what to expect but everything changed from the moment I walked into the arena, live music filling the air, dribbles, volleys and shots that of course produced plenty of goals, and so much more and then the idea of taking the entire event home in my hands started.

From Dubai to Durban SA, Casablanca, Ravenna, Tahiti, Espinho, Lagos and everywhere else the game has been, I have followed and by 2015, the idea was growing like kudzu, throwing images and contents all over as every thought of the magazine and the editorial planning started coming together. Here we are in the last quarter of 2016, a perfect time to launch a magazine about beach soccer, with all the excitement that Copa Lagos brings.

We decided to premiere this first issue with the Copa Lagos cover story, an exciting world of fun and lifestyle that showcases a perfect variety for soccer, fashion and music entertainment. Also, we take a look at the stars of the game, have a few conversations and a little exposé on the African Qualifiers for the 2017 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup. We invite you to enjoy our article, ‘Let’s talk about beach soccer’ series by Massimiliano De-Celis offering insights into the dynamics and trends of the beautiful game.

We hope you enjoy this magazine as much as we had fun and made new friends putting it together. Let us know your thoughts and be sure to come visit us at www.beachsoccermag.com, follow us on the social media and let’s keep the conversations all around the world of beach soccer.

Merry Christmas and a happy Beach Soccer 2017.

Taye Olajide, CPSM. CEO; BSmag

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CAF Beach Soccer 2016

interview the

Joan Cusco

BSWW Vice-president/CEO and FIFA Beach Soccer Committee member.

Beach Soccer Worldwide develops and runs Beach Soccer all around the World, also organize and manage the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.

What’s your main accomplishments in beach soccer so far?

Cusco - When turning our heads back, we see all what the sport has walked, how much it has grown…

If I had to choose one moment, or two, they would be the agreement with FIFA, in 2004, through which the sport became a FIFA sport and the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup was born. Also the European Games Baku 2015, where beach soccer represented the family of football in a top-class Olympic event.

What’s your greatest challenge heading BSWW

“

Conversations are ongoing in order to see our dream of being in the Olympics come true. I would not like to put any deadline, as there are many things to be sorted in the process.

But the different actors in this, NOCs, National Football Associations, FIFA, IOC, etc. are having some thoughts about it, which is highly positive

”

Cusco - Fortunately, there are always challenges, which I see as opportunities to keep growing. The Summer Olympics stand of course as our main dream, because we think that it is a place where beach soccer has a lot to offer. The sport would shine in the Olympics, and it would give us a huge prestige. But this is not the only challenge, as we are continuously seeking to improve our competitions, help our athletes grow, keep fostering women’s competition, etc.

What can you say about BSWW’s new innovations to further develop the game, image and revenue generation?

matter of the Football Associations to make a strong bet on women’s beach soccer, and the sport will of course keep growing.

Cusco - Beach Soccer Worldwide, we never stop thinking on how to improve the game, not only in terms of events, but also in terms of regulation, grassroots, player and coaches formation, refereeing analysis… It is our job! The same way, we are always in direct contact with players and coaches, main actors of our game, to always understand their view, as well as what our fans demand. Sponsorship is something we are intensively working on. Beach Soccer is a very attractive product, everyone who gets to know it immediately falls in love with it, and our TV audience figures keep growing year after year.

How do you hope to increase audience and cooperate interests through TV rights?

What is there about the standard in prize money?

Cusco - FIFA calculates the prize money following different metrics, which follow a fair proportionality. Of course, as in all sports, there is room for improvement, but I feel that the amount destined to the prize money is pretty well justified as of now.

Women Beach Soccer is fast emerging, when do you hope we would see women’s FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup? Cusco - That would be another of our dreams…

Women’s Beach Soccer is experiencing its first steps now, and this past year we saw it jump from a National to an International stage, with events such as the first ever Women’s Euro Beach Soccer Cup-Mundialito in Cascais, or the first Women’s Euro Winners’ Cup. So, it is now a

Cusco - Again, beach soccer has demonstrated to be a perfect fit for TV, and audiences back this statement. In some countries, such as Brazil or Russia, beach soccer gets wider audiences than huge events such as Formula 1, something that makes us very proud. The feedback we have from our TV partners, our right holders, is highly positive and the plan is now to reach new markets, new countries, where beach soccer can find a relevant spot on the TV grid.

What gets you the most enthused about heading BSWW and do u have any plans to expand operations?

Cusco - Seeing beach soccer grow day after day is something that get you extra energy every morning, because you see that what you do is something people love. I could not say one particular thing, but seeing the sport become the universal spectacle it is becoming, is something that makes us all so happy. And of course, if you want to see how it keeps growing, you cannot stop thinking, planning, dreaming, programming… It is a 24-7 duty. How can we make beach soccer stronger? Healthier? And Bigger?, This is what occupies our mind all the time.

How is BSWW tackling the slow development of the game in Africa, and other places?

Cusco - We have always seen Africa as a continent with a huge potential, and this is why we are working to see the sport blossom there. Not only having top class events, but also talking to federations and explaining them how to develop beach soccer programs. Programs which are not expensive, and with the help of FIFA Development, can become a realistic step.

Moreover, our relationship with CAF is stronger than ever, and this will for sure revert in more events, more beach soccer activation and more teams in the coming years.

João Victor Saraiva (Madjer) - Captain Portugal National Team Winner 2015 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, Golden boot winner for most goals scored in the tournament at the 2005, 2006, and 2008 World Cups. He also was the MVP of EBSL season in 1999, 2006, 2008 and 2009.

Madjer became the first player to score 1000 international beach soccer career goals in an 8–1 win against England in September 2016.

madjer 2015, 2016 World Best

the team that “wants to be

champion can not choose opponents.

”

Who is Madjer ?

Madjer - I was born in Angola and came to Portugal within 6 months. I started playing 11 aside football with a team called Estoril Praia and on my last year of junior school I had a motorcycle accident and i stopped playing for 2 years. Thereafter I had an invitation to try beach soccer at one amateur tournament, and since then i have not stop playing beach soccer. At the moment I’m Portugal’s National team Captain.

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and I also play for Sporting Clube de Portugal and Al Ahli Club Dubai, and I’ve been playing the Sport since 1997.

Tell us about your family?

Madjer - I have 2 wonderful kids a wife, one boy and one girl and they are my life. All the rest of my family is in Portugal and I try all the time to spend maximum time with all of them.

2 0 1 5

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What takes your time aside beach soccer?

Madjer - My family always, and my beach soccer projects as well.

Even when I’m not playing, i’m always working on them.

Were there aspects of your childhood that prepared you for your life as a pro player?

Your 1000th goal, do you think this record would be broken soon?

Madjer - Records exists to be broken, so I hope players work hard to their limits, and when they’ll break the record, i’ll look at this number as a way of helping players to reach the top.

Which goal has been your favorite you ever scored?

Madjer - Definitely the world cup goal in 2015 against Switzerland.

How confident are you in defending the World Cup for your country, in the face of rapid growth of the game?

Madjer - We know that it’s going to be difficult, but we also know the secret that puts us there, so we have to prepare ourselves to defend the title, but we are confident.

Madjer - Yes, when i started playing football I had the competitive part inside of me because of my father that played also, and my mother always told me to fight for my things and for what i wanna be. So, as a kid I was already trying to find my way to be a pro footballer.

Which Country would you consider a strong team to avoid in Bahamas 2017?

World best player second time in a row, what’s the secret?

What were some of your greatest moments in the game?

Madjer - It was in 2001 when we won the World Cup in Brazil and in 2015 in Portugal.

Madjer - I think the secret is hard work, playing with the best players over the years and continuously studying trends of the game.

Madjer - We have to be ready for everything and not chose opponents, because if they are there it’s because they deserve it, and the team that wants to be champion cannot choose opponents.

How would you use your brand to help the game?

Madjer - I’ll try to help with Beach Soccer Camps and also introduce my brand everwher, that way people can recognize it.

Comment on the beach soccer Olympic ambition, and possible inclusion in the Tokyo 2020.

Madjer - We hope that we get there soon, it’s one of the big steps that we need and we are fighting for.

Baku 2015 was already a big step, but we need more girls playing to be an Olympic sport.

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M A

BEACH CASUAL

BLACK 7

D 7 E R BY MADJER 2016 COLLECTIONS

BEACH SHADOW

BEACH 7

SAMSON

ADAMU the COPA LAGOS story

What inspired Copa Lagos?

Adamu – It’s a combination of a lot of things, what I like, the education that I had, my background with FIFA masters and also Nigerians love for football. As an entrepreneur I needed to do something different and the beach is also a very good driver for tourism and beach football is what we came up with.

To make it more special we spiced it up with music, fashion and other razzmatazz that surrounds the game. That’s what makes the DNA of Copa Lagos.

Tell us about Kinetic Sport?

Adamu – Kinetic Sport is a sports management and event company. We are also into marketing as we represent certain companies in marketing, also work with a French sports marketing company that works with CAF, and by extension Nigeria. We carryout exponential marketing, TV broadcast liaison and events organization.

With all these in your kitty, has it made sponsorship easy for Copa Lagos?

Adamu – Sponsorship never comes easy it doesn’t matter your experience or connections, there are so many factors to consider ranging from economy and also the reality settings. No matter how good your brand is, there is till the reality.

What are your accomplishment running Copa Lagos?

Adamu – You can see what we have achieved in six years, it’s been extremely satisfying, even amidst challenges but that’s what keeps us going every year. This year Nigeria is hosting the African Nation’s Cup is indeed a testament to how much we have collectively work.

Obviously your consistency made the hosting right happened, how fulfilling?

Samson – Its indeed fulfilling because it was also part of the plan when we started, but I must say we can’t take the credit alone, we have the NFF, Sponsors, particularly FCMB and Pepsi, they played very important role. There are also some other private sector organizations like Sports Solutions which has had a couple of grass roots events in the development of the game in the country so we cannot lay sole claim, it’s all a combined effort.

What will you say has been your greatest challenge managing Copa Lagos?

Adamu – First thoughts that will come to me is financial, but I’ll like to slow down on that. Getting people to buy something that’s new needs a lot of sensitization, also getting the right people in specific roles had been a challenge but we always managed and always overcome.

It’s been six years now, what are your plans for this year edition and are there any plans for the women beach soccer.

Adamu – Well if you noticed the countries that have introduced women have a very long history in the game, for us we would take it slow even though it’s part of the plan as we need to get the national league to run and then we would look at the women.

What would you say about the development of the game in Nigeria?

Adamu - I think it’s growing so much and really really fast, and I’ll tell you what I see about its development, leave the entertainment part aside, part of the plan is to host the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, but before we consider that, Nigeria should have won the World Cup because naturally by itself Nigeria does really good. Everyone played football on the sand here, if you go around Lagos and other parts of the country you will see youths playing on the sand traditionally, so we have that natural talent right from the grass root.

We just need to make the game more popular, let them play according to the rules and then obviously we would have the best stars in the world because the basic skills are already there. And in terms of the growth, it’s been very progressive, just in the past two or three months there has been a beach soccer tournament in Kaduna and another in Kwara. Like I said earlier, Sports Solutions is playing a very major role in the grass roots, think about it Abuja, Kaduna doesn’t have a natural beach environment but they managed to create more than one competition in those areas which has been extremely successful. Its growing across even beyond the shores of Nigeria where the game is being played traditionally, people are creating artificial beach soccer pitches. These has not come easy so far, but the growth that has been recorded has been wonderful.

....its Soccer

....its exciting

....its

fashion

....it’s

a party

Meet the Celebrities

....its fun

BSmag - Tell us about your background and how it has influenced your career in soccer?

ABU – I grew up in Lagos with my parents who never actually wanted me to play football and never even allowed me, they simply wanted education just like everyone else. However the environment and friends kept challenging me to be different. I’m from a family of 5, Dad and my eldest brother is now late, but Alhamdulillah we are a happy family.

BSmag – You play regular football in the top flight league and also play for the Sand Eagles, how do you switch between the grass and sand comfortably?

MEET

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ABU AZEEZ Nigeria’s Sand Eagles Forward

- Highest goal scorer Copa Lagos 2011 - Most valuable player Copa Lagos 2011 - Most valuable player Copa Lagos 2012 - Most valuable player Copa Lagos 2013 - Highest goal scorer Nations Cup Morocco 2013 - Highest goal scorer Power Horse African Trophy Durban 2015

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ABU – It’s not been an easy task because those are two different games, with different rules and you must be highly intelligent to condition yourself playing both perfectly. But I must say that if u can transmit the skills acquired from the sand into the grass, it will help a lot with fitness, stamina and sharp thinking.

BSmag – And you have done absolutely well on the sand, judging from your awards. Tell us about them.

ABU – My awards and accolades have been a collection of hard work, luck and prayers. But most importantly is team work as I always try to have a good relationship with all my team mates.

Good communication on and off the pitch always comes valuable and that has always helped me.

BSmag - How prepared are u for the AFCON and what are your expectations?

ABU - I expect a good tournament, personally am still hoping I can give my best, because every player out there wants to give his best, and most of these players have been active all through the year.

BSmag - Which African team would u wish to avoid playing against at AFCON? ABU - Ivory Coast and Senegal, but we shall take them out when they come.

BSmag - Finally what’s your plan for the future?

ABU – I’m still working on myself to get to the peak of my career, I want to play at the top level in Europe.

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Meet South African multi-talented music artist Pandry Bobo Seretsane (simply BO !)

The young entrepreneur is a Music artist, Writer, Actor, Producer and a Beach Soccer Ambassador.

Bo

How long have u been into music?

Bo – I’ve been into music ever since my high school, I was in a small group. Then I decided to start an acapella group about 12 – 15 years ago.

rise with Beach Soccer

You’ve been seen around beach soccer frequently, what’s the connection?

Bo – I love everything about beach soccer, I love the sport itself. The fact that it is exhilarating…. It’s a lifestyle, easily accessible.

How is the South African entertainment Industry?

Bo – it is exciting, as it has now entered into a very interesting stage where a lot of South Africans have now been exposed into a lot of international events and stuff like it.

So I’m very happy to be part of it and the fact that I’m getting more and more exposed through beach soccer in Europe, US and all those places.

I’m quite excited about it and I think the South African market is a very interesting place at the moment.

You seem really excited about beach soccer?

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Bo – It’s a whole lot of entertainment that’s aligned with the sport that i like. Beach Soccer is international and my music is international, Beach Soccer is very exciting and engaging and so is my music. .... it’s simply a natural marriage.

How many beach soccer events have you performed?

2015

2 0 1 5 BO – I’ve done two FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, one in Brazil and the other in Portugal, also twice at the Dubai intercontinental Cup, and recently in Italy. As a whole I think I’ve done about 10 events.

Where do you see Bo in a couple of years?

Bo – a couple of Grammys, house hold name globally.

Let’s talk about the music that brought you to fame?

Bo – definitely ‘Rise’ it is a project I always like to talk about, It was really inspired by lifting Africans and say we are gonna rise above all the negativity we face in the continent.

How well has beach soccer exposed you?

Bo – Sure, it’s really opened amazing doors for me, obviously everywhere the tournament goes I get exposed to all different types of people and you know it’s really given me more opportunity to do more work. I’ve received invite from Miami, officially been invited to perform in Bahamas at the 2017 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup. I’m potentially coming to Nigeria this December for AFCON. I’ve always wanted to perform in Nigeria and beach soccer is making it happen.

“

Beach Soccer is international and my music is international,

Beach Soccer is very exciting and engaging and so is my music. .... its simply a natural marriage.

”

FIFA

BEACH SOCCER WORKSHOP 2016 held at Westin Mina Seyahi Hotel, Dubai, is regarded as a key centre for discussion within the sport as it seeks to create opportunities to shape beach soccer’s future.

“

“Beach soccer is in great shape, it is. If you’re creating a sport, you would want great content and engaged fans and a product that worked on TV.” Jeff Ehrenkranz, President at Octagon Marketing International.

“This would be fantastic in the Olympics. It’s important that people in the beach soccer community dream of that. Maybe one day that dream will come true.” - Simon Clegg, COO; Baku European Games.

“Every regional committee has an influence in these [IOC] memberships. Most of the world, when we talk about beach games, beach soccer is number one.” - Joan Cusco; CEO; BSWW. “Funding is available within the FIFA Forward Programme and if beach soccer is a priority for federations, then it’s a possibility. You guys have a chance to think about this and see where there may be possibilities.” - Brent Rahim; FIFA Development Department.

”

Dejan Stankovic - Switzerland

Bruno Xavier - Brazil

Madjer - PORTUGAL

BEACH

2016

L

Ozu Moriera - Japan

Elinton Andrade - PORTUGAL

SOCCER HDREAM TEAM

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Nick

P e r e r a

Nick Perera United States Soccer Team Captain

2016 Beach Soccer Goal of the Year Award 2016 has been a great season for you, tell us about it.

Nick - On a personal note, I’ve enjoyed a very successful Beach Soccer season. I felt I had to prove myself again, after a disappointing Indoor soccer season last year, and I felt that my summer performances were some of the best I’ve had on the sand.

How surprised were you to win the 2016 best goal award?

Nick - I was surprised, mostly because of the quality of some of the goals nominated. There were some incredible individual efforts. I’m very pleased and honoured to have taken home such a prestigious award.

How important is the 2016 award to you?

Nick - The award is an honour and a reward for the hard work I did to prepare for this season, but never considered the award.

Have you ever been troubled with thoughts of playing for the United States ahead of your country of origin, Spain?

Nick - My first ever tournament playing for the national team was in Miami and one of our opponents was Spain. I remember briefly feeling out of place when hearing the national anthems, and having fleeting thoughts of confusion, but after that initial match I never looked back. I also know wholeheartedly that I would have never gotten the opportunities I have had here in the US.

You’re also a coach, are you considering a countryside in the future?

Nick - I haven’t thought about coaching Beach Soccer. I’m furthering my career as a soccer coach in the United States and beach soccer is always in the back of my mind, but since I’m still playing and trying to get the most out of my years, I haven’t considered looking for anything outside of playing Beach Soccer.

I hope that my coaching career, and my playing resume put me in contention to coach at an International level at some point down the road, when I’m finished playing.

What are your ambitions with beach soccer and where do you hope to see yourself in five years from now?

Nick - My ambitions for Beach Soccer are to qualify for the 2017 World Cup, get out of the group stage at the World Cup, and to push the US into the top 15 in the FIFA World Rankings. In 5 years I hope to still be representing the US at the International level, but I hope to be the Head Coach of a college soccer program.

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Bruno

Xavier

2014 World Best Player

Tell us, who is Bruno Xavier?

Xavier - my name is Bruno Xavier, I am married to Mariangela, and i have a set of wonderful twins; Cauã and Bruna.

What’s your Beach Soccer story?

Xavier – Played football on the sand from my childhood in front of the house, but my first opportunity in a professional team as a goalkeeper, because I trained with Mao. Anything you want to tell us about your personal life?

Xavier – I was privileged to be educated, thanks to my parents and my dad always encouraged me to play football, and that helped me a lot.

How are you using your brand to promote the game?

Xavier - We have a social project in the city of Anchieta, the project is called Training Center Mission (CTM), we prepare the young to face each obstacle in various disciplines.

How was your World Cup experience at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Tahiti after being left out of Ravenna in 2011?

Xavier - It was a wonderful experience, power play at the world Cup by my country; Tahiti was a dream come true and I try to take advantage of all opportunity that God gives me. I always wanted to play a world Cup, I prepared long before, physically and technically, but most fundamental was the psychological and emotional preparations.

Your legendary goal against Germany at the Riviera Maya Cup in 2014 still an ongoing sensation, how do you radiate so much confidence on the pitch?

Xavier - That goal has gone into history of football, as something awesome, I’m very grateful to God my source of confidence.

What are your expectations for the 2017 World Cup? Xavier - We know that we have much to achieve as team, but we prepare intensely for each competition, we can’t skip steps. Copa America comes up this December.

As part of the 2016 world best five along likes of Madjer and Ozu, would you consider coming up against either of them at Bahamas 2017 a very difficult game to win?

Xavier - Ozu and Madjer are top athletes that I respect very much and it will always be difficult to play against them, as I said we are still thinking about 2016, Copa America in December, we will take 2017 when it comes.

Coaching Life

ALEX

BRAGA Head Coach Lebanon Beach Soccer Team

Seeing beach soccer at the olympics is the dream of all people who work with beach soccer and BSWW. I think we are very close to this reality and it would be a great achievement for the family

Coaching? How did it all start and why beach soccer?

Braga - 1999 was my first competition. I was leaving the university and a friend introduced me to the sport, it was love at first sight. Passion for the game and search for a new perspective.

How would you describe your coaching style?

Braga - Specific and objective. Our training is always geared towards the actions of the game itself.

You have coached several national teams. What appeals to you about each of them and experience?

Braga - I have coached one South American national team and two from Asia. The experience that we acquired is for life. It is interesting to see how fast the players pick up as i coach them using the methodology of Brazilian beach soccer.

@leobeachsoccer

@beachsoccermag

What has been the most treasured moment of your coaching career in beach soccer?

bsmag

bsmag

Braga - I have 3 very special moments in my career. In 2014 when I was the champion of the Brazil Cup, bronze medal in the 2015 Kuwait Gulf Cup and October of this year when Lebanon won its first official medal, a bronze at the 2016 Asian Beach Games held in Vietnam.

What lessons are there to be learned from beach soccer?

Braga – Full understanding of the game, in addition to the physical and technical part.

Why Do you think Beach Soccer is more admirable than regular football?

Braga - The format of the game, the acrobatics and the environment makes it a perfect atmosphere.

What ambitions do you set out to achieve with beach soccer?

Braga – My immediate ambition is to Get Lebanon to the 2017 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Bahamas.

www.beachsoccermag.com

Lets talk about Beach Soccer

M aDs es - i mC ei ll ii sa n o Author ‘Io, Beach Soccer’, presented at the 2015 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Tahiti.

At the 2015 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Tahiti, Massimiliano De Celis an Italian Beach Soccer coach and FIFA Instructor, presented his new book: ‘Io, Beach Soccer’ (I, Beach Soccer) published in Italian offers a set of guidelines to foster both the personal and collective growth in Beach Soccer, aiming both as the player as an individual and the coach as the leader of a team.

The author, after having been coaching top-flight Beach Soccer teams for years, has put all his experience and analytical view into this book, which discovers some of the hidden aspect of the sport, from the basics to a professionalized level.

The book will be available as of this same autumn, and will be published, for the moment, in Italian, De Celis’ mother tongue.

Joan Cusco, FIFA Beach Soccer Committee Member, and members of the delegations such as Alexander Alaev, General Manager of the Football Union of Russia or Rodrigo Royo, from the CBF, accompanied De Celis in the presentation of the book, which took place minutes before the final of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.

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BEACH SOCCER: normal football or futsal?

- Part 1 “The summer transposition of normal football”, as in most parts of the beach soccer has been called, it is a highly dynamic sport, stunt, stamina, strength, individual technique and collective tactical strategy (especially in recent years), which is played in five (four plus goalkeeper) with seven other players on the bench, ready to take over with free replacements, as in futsal.

Despite the obvious affinities with futsal and also in football, many people in italy still exchange beach soccer with beach volleyball demonstrating the obvious difficulties in traditionalist and so closed environments, not to be receptive to the development of a sport with wide margins for growth.

Beach Soccer, also called “football on the sand”, is neither normal football nor futsal in all respects, although posters technical, tactical, conditional, relational, management similar to the one and / or the other; but it is, ultimately, a different sport, for its rules, its continuous metamorphosis, its technical characteristics, its physical-athletic skills, its tactical and collective aspects and the strong conditioning of all the above listed components where the performance is provided: the sand.

Very often, we try to give a logical explanation to the performance, taking into account the technical, tactical, psychological, physical aspects to real understand a victory or a defeat. Provided that, if the first two aspects (technical and tactical) have, more or less visible, the other two (psychological and physical aspects) are very difficult to weight: how do you objectively declare that Mike run more or less than Peter? Running more doesn’t mean running better. How do just as meticulously precise to say that John was more or less motivated than Tim? Those are considerations that only experts with the use of specific instruments and a reliable analysis could explain.

But identifying the conditional or the psychological appearance as the cause of a defeat, it seems so superficial, without the professional job that really can give the possible answer.

TO BE COUNTINUED ......

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A F R I C A’ S R O A D TO

BAHAMAS

6 DAYS TO D E C I D E

SORO Lohognon Jean is the head coach of Côte d’Ivoire Beach Soccer national team since 2011.

He captained the national beach soccer team and also played in the national football team. He was at the 2006, 2007 and 2008 Beach Soccer World Cup qualifiers.

Soro Lohognon Head Coach Côte d’Ivoire Beach Soccer

Côte d’Ivoire hopes to secure their third appearance at the 2017 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Bahamas, having first qualified for the 2009 edition in Dubai and Tahiti in 2015, after finishing second place in both CAF qualifiers.

Côte d’Ivoire has a functioning beach soccer league and Soho hopes that will boost the side’s chances of qualification in Lagos.

BSmag You played at both national teams of football and beach soccer, why Beach Soccer Coaching?

Soro - Having played at the national level, I fet I needed to help young players to be better players by teaching them my own experience and passion.

BSmag What has been the most treasured moment of your coaching career?

Soro - The most treasured moment of my career of coaching was the qualification of Côte d’Ivoire for the 2013 World Cup in Tahiti.

BSmag How prepared are your for AFCON and what are your expectations?

Soro – My boys are preparing very hard for the AFCON and have been in the camp for some time now. A number a friendlies has been lined up before we leave for Lagos. My expectations are first to be qualified for the next World Cup, and second to win the AFCON for the first time for Côte d’Ivoire.

BSmag What’s your perception of beach soccer trends in Africa?

Soro - It is definatly a fast growing variant of the association football that is gaining increased popularity.

Thanks and see you in Lagos.

Madagascar Association- Fédération Malagasy de Football FIFA code -

MAD

CAF ranking 6th World ranking 31st Appearance - 3 CAF 1 World Cup ACHIEVEMENTS 2011 Casablanca, Morocco - 4th Place 2013 El Jadida, Morocco – Round 1 2015 Roche Caiman, Seychelles – Champions

Association- Royal Moroccan Football Federationl FIFA code -

MAR

CAF ranking 3rd World ranking 25th Appearance - 5 CAF 0 World Cup ACHIEVEMENTS 2006 CAF Beach Soccer Championship – 6th Place 2009 CAF Beach Soccer Championship – Round 1 2011 CAF Beach Soccer Championship – Round 1 2013 CAF Beach Soccer Championship – 3rd Place 2015 CAF Beach Soccer Championship – 5th Place

Morocco

2 0 1 1

Head Coach Nigeria’s Sand Eagles

Audu ADAMU

ACHIEVEMENTS - NIGERIA - 2006 CAF Championship: runner-up - 2007 CAF Championship: champions - 2007 FIFA World Cup: quarterfinals - 2009 CAF Championship: champions - 2011 CAF Championship: runner-up - 2011 FIFA World Cup: quarterfinals

The 2 time African champion is

currently ranked 5th in Africa

and 30th in the world.

Ejo -

When did beach soccer start in Nigeria?

Ejo – Back in 2006, the Federation embraced and supported the development of the game, appointed late Amodu Shaibu as head Coach, Kelechi Emetole his assistant, while I was the coordinator. Players like Olawale Isiaka, Isa Abdul, Gabriel Agu were part of the pioneer squad who went to Durban and eventually made it to the world cup in brazil. Today the rest is history.

-

Do u feel beach soccer is becoming a popu lar sport in Nigeria?

Ejo – Certainly, it is gradually making waves across every part of the country, even areas without natural beach sands like the north, recently we had one in Kaduna where i had the opurtunity to pick players into the national team.

-

What new coaching experience have you garnered in recent years?

Ejo – A little over 9 years on the job, i’ve attended several FIFA coaching courses in the country, Dubai and Italy. And I’m proud to say that myself and the Senegalese coach are the only African Coaches that have been exposed this far. I have also been to 3

World Cup finals, 3 times African best, 3 times Copa Lagos champions and Currently seating at number 3 spot in the continent, but we are about to make it back to the top spot this December.

- You will be leading Nigeria to this year’s World Cup qualifying tournament, how prepared are you?

Ejo – We’ve had weeks of intensive camping, even though playing at home puts us at an advantage, my players are ready to go.

Libya Association- Libyan Football Federation FIFA code -

LBY

CAF ranking 8th World ranking 65th Appearance - 3 CAF 0 World Cup ACHIEVEMENTS 2009 CAF Beach Soccer Championship – Round 1 2011 CAF Beach Soccer Championship – Round 1 2013 CAF Beach Soccer Championship – Round 1

Senegal Association- Senegalese Football Federation FIFA code -

SEN

CAF ranking 2nd World ranking 20th Appearance - 6 CAF 5 World Cup ACHIEVEMENTS 2007 CAF Beach Soccer Championship – 2nd Place 2008 CAF Beach Soccer Championship – Champions 2009 CAF Beach Soccer Championship – 3rd Place 2013 CAF Beach Soccer Championship – Champions 2013 CAF Beach Soccer Championship – Champions 2015 CAF Beach Soccer Championship – 2nd Place

32

Ghana Association- Ghana Football Association FIFA code -

GHA

CAF ranking 7th World ranking 50th Appearance - 2 CAF 0 World Cup ACHIEVEMENTS 2013 CAF Beach Soccer Championship – Round 1 2015 CAF Beach Soccer Championship – 7th Place

Egypt Association- Egyptian Football Association FIFA code -

EGY

CAF ranking 1st World ranking 18th Appearance - 7 CAF 0 World Cup ACHIEVEMENTS 2006 CAF Beach Soccer Championship – 3rd Place 2007 CAF Beach Soccer Championship – 5th Place 2008 CAF Beach Soccer Championship – 4th Place 2009 CAF Beach Soccer Championship – 4th Place 2011 CAF Beach Soccer Championship – 3rd Place 2013 CAF Beach Soccer Championship – Round 1 2015 CAF Beach Soccer Championship – 6th Place

MEN

FASH ION

SHIRTS KAFTAN TUNICS JACKETS TROUSERS

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BEACH SOCCER AFRICAN CUP OF NATIONS 2016 Eko Atlantic City 13th December 2016

(Group B)

Madagascar

Vs.

Libya

Ghana

Vs.

Cote d’Ivoire

Morocco

Vs.

Senegal

Nigeria

Vs.

Egypt

Egypt

Vs.

Ghana

Libya

Vs.

Morocco

Senegal

Vs.

Madagascar

Cote d’Ivoire

Vs.

Nigeria

(Group A)

(Group B)

(Group A)

14th December 2016

(Group A)

(Group B)

(Group B)

(Group A)

15th December 2016

(Group B)

Madagascar

(Group B)

(Group A)

(Group A)

Vs.

Morocco

Libya

Vs.

Senegal

Egypt

Vs.

Cote d’Ivoire

Nigeria

Vs.

Ghana

17th December 2016

play-off

m13 - 3rd Group A

Vs.

m14 - 4th Group A

Vs.

m15 - 1st Group A

Vs.

m16 - 2nd Group A

Vs.

6

TEAM 1

P

W

L

D

GF

GA

GD

PTS

P

W

L

D

GF

GA

GD

PTS

Cote d’Ivoire

2

Ghana

3

Nigeria

4

Egypt

TEAM 1

Senegal

2

Morocco

3

Madagascar

4

Libya

18th December 2016

3rd - 8th place

Loser m13

Vs.

Loser m14

4th Group B

Winner m13

Vs.

Winner m14

3rd Group B

Loser m15

Vs.

Loser m16

2nd Group 1st Group B

18th December 2016

Winner m15

FINAL Vs.

Winner m16