Nigeria Sand Eagles Suffer Back-to-Back 6-4 Defeats to African Champions Senegal

The Nigeria Sand Eagles suffered a second consecutive 6-4 defeat to Senegal in Kaduna on Monday, with the defending African champions completing a two-match friendly sweep at the Murtala Muhammed Square.

Nigeria had also lost the first friendly 6-4 on Saturday, meaning both matches ended with the same scoreline.

The second encounter started evenly, with both teams level at 0-0 before Senegal took the lead through Libasse Mbaye.

Nigeria responded through Hassan Abdullahi to level the score at 1-1, with the teams remaining tied at the end of the first period.

The Sand Eagles then moved ahead in the second period when Hamza Manga scored to make it 2-1.

Senegal levelled again after an own goal by Nigeria's Godspower Igudia, leaving the score at 2-2 at the end of the second period.

Nigeria regained the lead early in the third period through Sodiq Umar, who made it 3-2.

Senegal responded strongly, with Mamadou Sylla equalising before Assane Ba put the visitors ahead for the first time in the final period.

Mandione Laye Diagne then extended Senegal's advantage to 5-3, before Oussaynou Faye made it 6-3.

Nigeria pulled one back through Hassan Abubakar, but Senegal held on to secure another 6-4 victory.

Oussaynou Faye was named Man of the Match.

Nigeria's Goalscorers

🇳🇬 Hassan Abdullahi ⚽
🇳🇬 Hamza Manga ⚽
🇳🇬 Sodiq Umar ⚽
🇳🇬 Hassan Abubakar ⚽

Senegal's Goals

🇸🇳 Libasse Mbaye ⚽
🇳🇬 Godspower Igudia (OG) ⚽
🇸🇳 Mamadou Sylla ⚽
🇸🇳 Assane Ba ⚽
🇸🇳 Mandione Laye Diagne ⚽
🇸🇳 Oussaynou Faye ⚽

The two friendlies formed part of the Sand Eagles' preparations for their Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixture against Ghana's Black Sharks.

The matches also provided Nigeria with tests against Senegal, the defending African champions, ahead of the qualifying assignment.

Nigeria will take the lessons from the two matches after suffering identical 6-4 defeats against the African champions in Kaduna.