Nigeria’s Sand Eagles suffered a 5-4 penalty shootout defeat to Ghana’s Black Sharks after an entertaining 4-4 draw, including extra time, in the first leg of their 2026 Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations (BSAFCON) qualifying tie in Kaduna on Saturday, October 10.

The closely contested encounter saw Nigeria take the lead, fall behind and fight back on multiple occasions before the Black Sharks prevailed in the penalty shootout. Isa Hamza Manga scored a hat-trick for the hosts, while Ekene Obi also found the net. Ghana’s goals came through a brace from Mawuli Sosu, an own goal credited to Obi and an extra-time equaliser from Wise Nyamadi.

The result gives Ghana an advantage ahead of the return leg in Keta next Sunday, with a place at the 2026 Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations in Senegal at stake.

Manga Opens Scoring as Ghana Respond

Nigeria started the match with Godwin Tale in goal, while captain Victor Tale, Emmanuel Ohwoferia, Isa Hamza Manga and Hassan Abdullahi featured in the starting line-up.

The hosts made an early impact when Manga scored the opening goal in the first period to put the Sand Eagles ahead 1-0.

Ghana responded through Mawuli Sosu, who found the net to bring the Black Sharks level at 1-1. Neither side could find another goal before the end of the opening period, leaving the contest evenly poised.

Own Goal and Sosu’s Brace Put Ghana Ahead

The Black Sharks moved in front early in the second period when an own goal credited to Nigeria’s Ekene Obi gave Ghana a 2-1 advantage.

Manga restored parity for the Sand Eagles, scoring his second goal of the match to make it 2-2 and revive Nigeria’s hopes of taking control of the contest.

However, Ghana responded again through Sosu, whose second goal of the encounter put the visitors ahead 3-2. The Black Sharks maintained that advantage until the end of the second period.

Nigeria therefore entered the third period needing another response to remain in contention.

Manga Completes Hat-Trick to Force Extra Time

The Sand Eagles continued their pursuit of an equaliser in the third period, and Manga delivered once more to complete his hat-trick and make it 3-3.

Neither team managed to break the deadlock before the end of the third period, sending the match into extra time with qualification momentum still up for grabs.

Nigeria capitalised on the additional period when Ekene Obi scored to give the Sand Eagles a 4-3 lead. With the hosts now in front, they appeared to have an opportunity to secure a first-leg advantage.

Ghana, however, refused to surrender. Wise Nyamadi scored the equaliser to make it 4-4, ensuring neither side could settle the contest during extra time.

Ghana Prevail 5-4 in Penalty Shootout

With the score still level at 4-4 after extra time, the tie was decided by a penalty shootout.

Both teams converted their opening two penalties before Nigeria missed their third attempt, giving Ghana an opportunity to move ahead. The Black Sharks converted their next attempts, while Nigeria scored their remaining two penalties.

Ghana ultimately prevailed 5-4 in the shootout to claim victory in Kaduna after the match had finished 4-4.

For Nigeria, Manga’s three goals and Obi’s extra-time strike were not enough to secure a first-leg win. Ghana’s resilience, particularly their responses after falling behind, proved decisive in taking the contest to penalties and eventually winning.

Sand Eagles Face Decisive Return Leg in Keta

The two teams will meet again in Keta, Ghana, next Sunday for the return leg of the qualifying tie.

The Sand Eagles must now overcome the Black Sharks away from home to keep their hopes of reaching the 2026 Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations alive. Ghana, meanwhile, will seek to build on their penalty shootout victory and secure qualification for the continental tournament in Senegal.

With the first leg ending level after regulation time and extra time, the return encounter will determine which side progresses to the 2026 BSAFCON.

First leg result: Nigeria 4-4 Ghana (Ghana win 5-4 on penalties)

Nigeria scorers: Isa Hamza Manga (3), Ekene Obi (1)

Ghana scorers: Mawuli Sosu (2), Ekene Obi (own goal), Wise Nyamadi (1)

Next fixture: Ghana vs Nigeria, second leg, in Keta next Sunday.

Qualification at stake: A place at the 2026 Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations in Senegal.

UPDATE: Referees Admit Error as Nigeria-Ghana Tie Stands at 3-3

The officiating team, led by Moroccan referee Driss Lamghaidar, has admitted an error in allowing extra time and a penalty shootout in Saturday’s 2026 Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match between Nigeria and Ghana in Kaduna.

The match, initially recorded as a 4-4 draw after extra time, with Ghana winning 5-4 on penalties, should have ended 3-3 after regulation time, according to the officials’ admission at a meeting on Saturday night.

The Nigeria Football Federation had sought an explanation immediately after the match over the decision to proceed to extra time and penalties in the first leg of the two-legged tie.

Nigeria and Ghana will meet again in Keta on Sunday, October 18, with qualification for the 2026 Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations in Senegal still to be decided.