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Nigeria’s Super Sand Eagles suffered a painful 4-5 penalty shootout defeat to Ghana’s Black Sharks after an entertaining 4-4 draw at the end of regular time and extra time in the first leg of their 2026 Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations (BSAFCON) qualifiers in Kaduna on Saturday.
The result gave Ghana a narrow lead ahead of the return match in Keta next Sunday, leaving Nigeria with the task of securing a positive result away from home to keep their hopes of reaching the continental tournament alive.
In a fiercely contested match, the Sand Eagles showed remarkable attacking quality and resilience, with Isa Hamza Manga scoring three goals to record a hat-trick for the Nigerian side. Ekene Obi also scored in extra time as the hosts struggled to overcome the challenge of Ghana. Project reports
However, the Black Sharks refused to give up, responding to Nigeria’s efforts with a brace from Mawuli Sosu and an extra-time equalizer from Wise Nyamadi to force the match into a penalty shootout, where Ghana ultimately prevailed.
Manga inspires Nigeria with a hat-trick
Manga was Nigeria’s best performer that day, producing an impressive attacking display that kept the Sand Eagles in contention throughout the match.
The striker opened the scoring for Nigeria, giving the hosts an early boost in their bid to secure an advantage before traveling to Ghana for the crucial second leg.
His performance underlined Nigeria’s attacking threat as the Sand Eagles looked to make their home advantage count against a Ghanaian side equally determined to take control of the qualifying tie.
Manga went on to complete his hat-trick, scoring three of Nigeria’s four goals in a match that required sustained attacking intensity and resilience from both teams.
His goals proved crucial in keeping Nigeria within reach of victory, especially as Ghana continued to respond and prevent the hosts from establishing a decisive lead.
Despite Manga’s individual brilliance, however, the Sand Eagles were unable to find the breakthrough needed to settle the match before the penalty shootout.
Ekene Obi provided Nigeria’s other goal, scoring in extra time as the hosts attempted to move forward in the closely contested encounter.
The Black Sharks react to force sanctions
Ghana showed their determination by repeatedly fighting back against Nigeria, with Mawuli Sosu leading the visitors’ goal.
Sosu scored two goals for the Black Sharks, ensuring Ghana remained firmly in the running despite Manga’s impressive contribution for the hosts.
The visitors’ tenacity proved crucial in extending the match beyond regulation time, as neither team managed to establish a winning margin during the allotted period.
With the tie still unresolved, extra time gave both teams another opportunity to secure an advantage ahead of the return match. Nigeria found the net through Obi, raising hopes that the Sand Eagles could finish the first leg with a victory.
Ghana, however, once again demonstrated their ability to respond under pressure, with Wise Nyamadi scoring an equalizer in extra time to bring the tie back to 4-4.
Nyamadi’s intervention ensured that neither team could secure victory in normal time and extra time, leaving the outcome to be determined by penalties.
The scoring sequence reflected the competitive nature of the match, with both teams showing attacking determination but ultimately unable to separate themselves throughout the match.
Ghana prevails on penalties
After a 4-4 stalemate, the match continued with a penalty shootout to determine which team would take the lead in the return leg.
The Black Sharks held their nerve and won the shootout 5-4, turning an even match into a narrow victory for the visiting team.
For Nigeria, the defeat was a frustrating end to a match in which Manga’s hat-trick and Obi’s extra-time goal had kept the team firmly in contention.
Although the Sand Eagles failed to secure victory on home soil, the narrow margin means the qualifying race remains open ahead of the return match.
Ghana will go into the second leg with the psychological boost from their victory in Kaduna, while Nigeria will have to regroup and address the areas that prevented them from turning their attacking performance into a victory in the first leg.
The result also places greater importance on Nigeria’s response to Keta, where the team will need to deliver a disciplined and effective performance against opponents who have demonstrated their ability to bounce back from difficult situations.
The Sand Eagles face a crucial test in Keta
The return match is scheduled for next Sunday in Keta, Ghana, with both teams looking to secure qualification for the 2026 African Beach Soccer Cup of Nations in Senegal.
For the Sand Eagles the immediate challenge will be to recover from the disappointment of the penalty defeat and prepare for the crucial away match. Nigeria will need to replicate the attacking effectiveness they showed in Kaduna, while improving their ability to protect a lead and prevent Ghana from repeatedly finding a way back into the competition.
Manga’s goals provide an encouraging sign for the Nigerian team but the team will need a collective effort to overcome the Black Sharks at home. Obi and the rest of the attacking unit will also be expected to contribute as Nigeria pursue the result needed to stay in contention.
Ghana, meanwhile, will aim to build on their success in the first leg and use their home advantage to finish the job. Their ability to react in Kaduna, combined with their composure in the shootout, gives the Black Sharks reason for confidence ahead of the crucial match.
The stakes are significant for both teams, as the winner of the double qualifying match will earn a place at the BSAFCON 2026 in Senegal.
With qualification still to be decided, Nigeria must now channel the disappointment of defeat in Kaduna into a determined performance in Keta. The Sand Eagles will have to rise to the occasion away from home if they are to overturn the setback and keep their continental ambitions alive.
