24th Nov 2014 When you think of Beach football, you probably think of Miami or Brazil, both places famous for the game. However, in much the same way as it colonized Jollof rice (yes, I went there), Nigeria is taking hold of the game and giving it a uniquely green-white-green identity.
COPA Lagos, the name for the Nigerian Beach Soccer Tournament, started in 2011 to a great deal of doubt, in the years since, it has grown to become another hotly anticipated and collectively enjoyed sporting fiesta.
This year, activities for the tournament started early with a Clean the Beach initiative which saw celebrities head to the beach to clear away refuse and emphasize respect for the beach.
The tournament itself kicks off from the 12th to the 14th of December and features teams from Nigeria, Ghana, Cote D’Ivoire and Switzerland.
A road show to hype the event took place in Lagos, moving from the Eko Atlantic, the venue of the Copa Lagos, down through major routes on Victoria Island on to Lekki/Epe Express Way to Ajah and back to the Island
Apart from football, there are concerts and other tourist events, making this a fully packed holiday for anyone looking for sand and sun in the uniquely alive atmosphere of Lagos.