McCarthy Obanor, winner of the 2017 Nigeria Freestyle Football Championships, on Tuesday said that he was adequately prepared to excel at the maiden Africa Freestyle Football Championships in Lagos.

Obanor told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that he was ready for the event, scheduled for Sept. 13 to Sept. 15 at Balmoral Convention Centre, Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos.

NAN reports that the championships is organised by Feet `N’ Tricks International in conjunction with the World Freestyle Football Association.

The Nigerian champion, who said he was physically and psychologically ready to slug it out with other athletes, noted that he was looking forward to a keenly contested competition because of the calibre of participants that would feature in it.

He said was targeting the trophy at the Lagos event to enable him to represent Africa at the world tournament, tagged “Red-bull Freestyle Football Championships”, fixed for Poland in November.

“This is a major competition for me, and it is a plus for us in Nigeria to host the rest of Africa.

“I have prepared adequately for the championships; my target is to win and represent Africa at the world stage.

“Top freestylers across the continent will be participating and that will make the event more competitive. So, I want to be battle-ready,’’ he said.

He lauded the efforts being put in place by the organisers to develop the sport in the country and Africa at large.

According to him, the competition will avail participants the opportunity to be on the world ranking.

NAN reports that over 50,000 dollars prize and a brand new car are to be won, while over 40 athletes from 20 African countries are being expected to feature in the event.

The freestyle football is the art and sport of juggling football using all parts of the body to entertain audiences and out-perform opponents.

It is also known as Freestyle Soccer in North America and it is a fusion of tricks with a ball, dance and music.