The Sand Super Eagles Head Coach, Audu Adamu, said on Tuesday the late invitation of players to camp cost the team the trophy at the just concluded 2014 COPA Lagos Tournament.
Adamu made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos.
The Cote dā Ivoire beach soccer team defeated the Sand Eagles 5-4 to win the trophy for the first time since the tournament began in 2011, with the Nigerian team winning the previous three editions.
Adamu said: “The preparation was just like fire brigade, but I thank God that the President and the Vice-President of the Nigeria Football Federation have given me courage that I will enter camp in time – one month ahead.
“So I think in future it wonāt be like that.
“I think I have to thank the Nigerian fans for supporting me, even though I didnāt give them the Christmas gift I promised to give them.”