2 hours ago
1
Ghana’s Black Sharks have qualified for the 2026 Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations after defeating Nigeria’s Super Sand Eagles 7-4 in the second leg of their qualifying tie in Keta on Sunday.
The victory gave Ghana a 10-7 aggregate win over Nigeria after both teams played a 3-3 draw in the first leg in Kaduna.
The tournament will take place in Senegal from November 7 to 15, 2026.
Ghana took advantage of playing at home to score seven goals and secure their place at the continental competition, while Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying ended in disappointment.
Both teams entered the second leg with their chances of qualification still open after the first match ended in a 3-3 draw.
Nigeria’s Isa Hamza Manga scored all three goals for the Super Sand Eagles in the first leg. Ghana responded with two goals from Mawuli Sosu and another from Wise Nyamadi.
The first leg also witnessed controversy after the match officials allowed extra time and a penalty shootout, which Ghana initially won 5-4.
However, the officials later admitted that extra time and penalties should not have been played because the match was the first leg of a two-match qualifying tie.
The result was therefore recorded as a 3-3 draw, leaving the teams to settle qualification in the return fixture.
With the aggregate score level before Sunday’s match, Ghana needed a strong performance to secure qualification.
The Black Sharks delivered by scoring seven goals to win 7-4 and advance to the tournament with a 10-7 aggregate victory.
Nigeria miss out on qualification
The defeat is a major setback for Nigeria, which has won the Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations twice, in 2006 and 2007.
The Super Sand Eagles had hoped to return to the continental competition and strengthen their position among Africa’s leading beach soccer teams.
Manga’s hat-trick in the first leg had given Nigeria hope, but the team could not stop Ghana from taking control of the decisive encounter.
The result means Nigeria will miss the 2026 tournament, while the coaching crew will have to review the team’s performance and prepare for future competitions.
Ghana prepare for Senegal tournament
Ghana’s qualification follows preparations aimed at selecting a competitive squad for the tournament.
The Ghana Football Association had earlier organised trials to assess players based on fitness, technical ability, tactical discipline and overall performance.
The Black Sharks will now focus on preparing for the competition in Senegal, where they will face some of Africa’s strongest beach soccer teams.
The victory over Nigeria is expected to boost the team’s confidence ahead of the tournament.
AFCON also offers World Cup opportunity
The 2026 Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations will feature eight teams, including hosts Senegal and seven countries that qualify through the continental qualifiers.
The competition will also serve as a route to the 2027 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, with Africa’s two finalists expected to secure places at the global tournament.
Ghana will therefore aim not only to compete for the continental title but also to qualify for the World Cup.
The Black Sharks will need to build on their attacking performance against Nigeria while improving their defensive organisation before the tournament begins.
For Nigeria, the 7-4 defeat in Keta ends its qualification campaign and denies the Super Sand Eagles an opportunity to compete for the African title.
English (US) ·