Spanish dancers at the ongoing African Football Confederation 2016 Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations in Nigeria have described Nigerians as warm and easy to relate with.
They spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria at the opening of the competition at Eko Atlantic, Victoria Island, Lagos on Tuesday.
NAN reports that the five-day tournament, hosted by Lagos State, has eight nations from across Africa, which were drawn into Groups A and B.
Teams in the Group A are Nigeria, Egypt, Ghana and Cote-D’voire, while Group B has Madagascar, Libya Morocco and Senegal.
As part of the side attractions, the organisers employed the services of Spanish dancers who will constantly entertain the spectators during half time at the matches.
The Spanish dancers, referred to as “Cheer Dancers”, however, lived up to expectations as they danced to different music, including Nigerian songs.
On their views about the Nigerian atmosphere, the dancers, who claimed to have visited Nigeria twice, said they were happy whenever they were asked to visit.
One of the dancers, a Spanish National, Carla Del-Estal, said Nigerians were easy to relate with, adding that she was impressed by the warm welcome she received from the people.
Del-Estal said: “Right from the first time I visited Nigeria, I have been in love with the culture.
“I love the atmosphere here because the people are warm and loving.
“I have also tried the local foods too, but I am not too comfortable with them because they taste different from Spanish local dishes.
“I have been dancing for about 10 years now and it’s my life.
“I don’t do any other thing, but I love Nigerian music because of the steps.
“I have also made friends in Nigeria that we communicate from time to time.”
Another Spanish national, Idiara Rodriguez, spoke glowingly about Nigeria, saying that Nigerians are fun-loving people.
Rodriguez said: “Nigeria is a fun place and the people are fun loving too.
“At first, I thought they will be hostile, but anyone we meet on our way greets us politely.
“We are respected and treated well.
“Nigeria has a nice tradition and I really love it.
“Beach soccer is my life and the things I have seen here so far are nice.
“I have passion for what I do and whenever I am called upon to visit Nigeria I will gladly oblige.”
NAN reports that the opening match between Madagascar and Libya ended in favour of Madagascar 9-5, while the second between Senegal and Morocco ended 2-1 in favour of Senegal.
The third match between Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire ended 5-0 in favour of Cote d’Ivoire and the last match between hosts, Nigeria, and Egypt ended 3-2, with Nigeria winning.
Nigeria’s captain and veteran of the competition, playing in seven editions, Isiaka Olawale, said the team’s sole aim was to qualify for the 2017 World Cup in Bahamas.
Olawale said: “We thank God for the match because we expected a tough game between us and Egypt.
“We know them to be a good side and highly technical, so it was tough playing them.
“Our sole aim is to qualify for the next World Cup in Bahamas and if we can qualify for the semi-finals, then we are on our way to the World Cup.
“We will like all Nigerians to get behind us for us to go far in the competition.”
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