Nigeria’s Sand Eagles suffered a narrow penalty shootout defeat to Ghana in the first leg of their 2026 Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations qualifying tie in Kaduna on Saturday.
The match ended 4-4 after extra time before Ghana claimed a 5-4 victory in the shootout. The result gives the Black Sharks an advantage ahead of the return leg in Keta next Sunday.
Isa Hamza Manga starred for Nigeria, scoring a hat trick that included the opening goal. The Sand Eagles fought hard to stay in the contest, while Ekene Obi also scored during extra time.
However, Ghana refused to back down. Mawuli Sosu scored twice for the Black Sharks before Wise Nyamadi struck in extra time to keep his side in the tie and force the match into a penalty shootout.
Sand Eagles face Crucial test in Keta
Both teams battled through regulation time and extra time, but Ghana held their nerve from the spot to secure the 5-4 shootout win.
The defeat leaves Nigeria with work to do ahead of Sunday’s return leg in Keta. The Sand Eagles must now produce a strong away performance to keep their qualification hopes alive.
The two sides are competing for a place at the 2026 Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations in Senegal. The winner of the two legged tie will qualify for the continental tournament.
