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Nigerian Beach Soccer icon Abu Azeez Shines

Abu Azeez
Abu Azeez. photo/Brila FM
  • He is a Nigerian beach soccer player
  • He has won the Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations four times
  • He is the first Nigerian player to be shortlisted for the Beach Soccer World

Abu Abolaji Azeez is a Nigerian beach soccer player who plays as a forward for Nigerian professional Football League club side Warri Wolves F.C and for the Nigeria national beach soccer team.

Azeez began his professional football career with Kwara United. Since then, he has played for Warri Wolves, Enyimba, Shooting Stars, Rangers International and Remo Stars. He recently returned to play for Warri Wolves.

When it comes to beach soccer, Azeez is one of the most decorated players having won the Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations four times and was also named the Beach Soccer African Player of the Year in 2019.

He was nominated for the Beach Soccer World Player award and this made him the first Nigerian player to be nominated for this award.

Educational Background

Abu Azee’s parents made education a priority for him even if they were not wealthy. He attended Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education where he graduated with a National Certificate in Education Science.

Abu Azeez

Abu Azeez. Photo/Beach Soccer Worldwide

The player believes that education is basic even to those from poor backgrounds and everyone should have an education regardless of their background.

Personal Life

Abu Azeez was born on May 31 1994 in Ojo, Lagos, Nigeria to parents of the country’s descent. While growing up, his father couldn’t allow him to play football as he emphasized on studies first.

Azeez could only watch his friends join and represent school teams though he had a passion for the sport.

His dream of playing was realized upon his father’s demise and funny enough, he got his first pair of boots with his father’s gratuity.

He is a devout Muslim, married to Maryam Olajide Adediran and the couple is blessed with two children together.

Career

Abu Azeez is a Nigerian beach soccer player who plays as a forward for Nigeria Professional Football League club side Warri F.C and the Nigeria national beach soccer team.

He began his professional football career with Kwara United and after one year with the club, he was signed by Warri Wolves F.C.

Azeez made a move to join Enyimba FC of Aba shortly after, he joined Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan after a trial with Turkish club Samsunspor.

After one year back in the Western part of Nigeria, Aziz moved back to the East where he signed with Enugu Rangers.

Abu Azeez

Abu Azeez. Photo/Black Arrow FC

The forward has had a successful beach soccer career and made his debut for Nigeria at the 2009 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Dubai where he scored twice as Nigeria crashed out in the group stages.

Since then, he has been a valuable asset to the team and won his first trophy at the Copa Lagos. While playing for Enyimba, he announced that he was retiring from international beach football to focus on regular football.

However, he returned to the team later that year helping them finish second at the 2016 Africa Beach Soccer Cup of Nations hosted in Nigeria.

The player has won the Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations four times and was also named the Beach Soccer Player of the Year in 2019.

Azeez was shortlisted for the Beach Soccer World Player of the Year award making him the first Nigerian player to be nominated for this award.

He recently returned to Warri Wolves F.C. where he currently plays.

My passion is capturing the untold journey of global athletes from humble beginnings to superstars in their own right.

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