Nigeria vs Ghana: Referees Admit Error After Controversial 4-4 Draw in Beach Soccer Qualifier

Nigeria’s Super Sand Eagles and Ghana’s Black Sharks remain level at 3-3 in the first leg of their 2026 Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations (BSAFCON) qualifying tie after the match officials admitted an error in allowing extra time and a penalty shootout in Kaduna on Saturday.

The encounter at the Murtala Muhammed Square Beach Soccer Pitch was initially recorded as a 4-4 draw after extra time, with Ghana winning 5-4 on penalties. However, Moroccan referee Driss Lamghaidar and his officiating team subsequently acknowledged that the match should have ended after regulation time, when the score was 3-3.

The admission followed a meeting on Saturday night after the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) sought an explanation for the decision to extend the first-leg encounter.

The development means the qualifying tie remains level ahead of the return leg in Keta, Ghana, on Sunday, October 18, with a place at the 2026 Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations in Senegal at stake.

Manga Hat-Trick Helps Nigeria Draw Level

Nigeria made a positive start, with Isa Hamza Manga opening the scoring in the first period. Ghana responded through Mawuli Sosu to leave the score at 1-1 at the end of the opening period.

Ghana moved ahead in the second period through an own goal credited to Nigeria’s Ekene Obi. Manga restored parity for the Sand Eagles before Sosu scored his second goal to give the Black Sharks a 3-2 advantage.

Nigeria continued to press, and Manga completed his hat-trick in the third period to bring the score to 3-3.

That was the score at the end of regulation time. However, the officials allowed the match to proceed into extra time, during which Obi scored for Nigeria before Wise Nyamadi equalised for Ghana to make it 4-4.

A penalty shootout followed, with Ghana initially declared 5-4 winners. The subsequent admission by the officiating team confirmed that allowing extra time and penalties was an error.

NFF Seeks Explanation Over Match Officials’ Decision

The NFF moved to seek clarification immediately after the match, questioning why extra time and a penalty shootout had been conducted in the first leg of a two-match qualifying tie.

At a meeting on Saturday night, Lamghaidar and his officiating team admitted their error, according to the information released following the meeting.

The first leg therefore stands at 3-3 after regulation time, leaving both countries to contest the decisive return fixture in Ghana.

Officials Attend Kaduna Match

Several senior officials from the National Sports Commission (NSC), the NFF and the Kaduna State Government watched the encounter.

Those present included NSC Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko, NFF Acting General Secretary Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme and Kaduna State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Hon. Ben Kure.

Other officials in attendance were the NSC Chairman’s Special Assistants, Barr. Musa Amadu and Clement Nwankpa; NFF Acting Deputy General Secretary Dr Ademola Olajire; and the NSC Chairman’s Personal Assistant, Alhaji Ahmad Muazu.

Qualification to Be Decided in Ghana

Nigeria and Ghana will meet again in Keta on Sunday, October 18, for the second leg of the qualifying tie.

With the first leg standing at 3-3, both teams will have an opportunity to secure qualification for the 2026 Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations in Senegal.

The Sand Eagles will aim to overcome Ghana away from home, while the Black Sharks will look to use home advantage to progress to the continental tournament.

First leg: Nigeria 3-3 Ghana (after regulation time)

Nigeria scorers: Isa Hamza Manga (3)

Ghana scorers: Mawuli Sosu (2), Wise Nyamadi (1)

Next fixture: Ghana vs Nigeria, October 18, 2026, in Keta.

Competition: 2026 Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.