Senegal beach soccer national team head coach Oumar Sylla has thanked the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for organising their international friendly and praised the Super Sand Eagles for their performance.

 The African champions defeated Nigeria 6-4 in the first leg of their international friendly in Kaduna on Saturday.

 “We say thank you to the Nigeria Football Federation for the organisation of this game. The game was very nice. We are very happy and the Nigerian people are very nice,” Sylla said.

 The Senegal coach also acknowledged Nigeria's long absence from the Africa Cup of Nations and commended the team for their performance despite the lack of recent competitive action.

 “We have seen that for a long time Nigeria have not played the game, especially at the African Cup of Nations. They are working so hard because we never imagined we would have this kind of game. Congratulations for the job you guys are doing,” he added.

 The Super Sand Eagles are using the two friendly matches as part of their preparations for this week's Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations (BSAFCON) qualifiers against Ghana.

 Senegal, who are the reigning African champions, will host this year's BSAFCON.

 Nigeria and Senegal will meet again at the same venue in Kaduna on Monday for the second friendly, with kick-off scheduled for 9:00am.