AFCON 2025
Nigeria’s Sand Eagles put up another spirited performance but suffered a narrow 4-6 defeat to reigning African champions Senegal in their second international friendly at the Murtala Muhammed Square, Kaduna, on Monday.
The result mirrored Saturday’s first-leg outcome, when Senegal also secured victory. However, Nigeria’s displays across the two matches offered encouragement ahead of their crucial Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations (BSAFCON) qualifying campaign against Ghana.
Despite having gone two years without competitive international action, the Sand Eagles showed little rustiness against one of Africa’s strongest beach soccer sides. Coach Abdullahi Isa’s charges were even more impressive in Monday’s encounter, displaying greater confidence, attacking intent and determination throughout the match.
Hassan Abdullahi, Hamza Manga, Sodiq Umar and Hassan Abubakar scored for Nigeria. Senegal’s goals came through Libasse Mbaye, Mamadou Sylla, Assane Ba, Mandione Laye Diagne and goalkeeper Oussaynou Faye. Nigeria’s Godspower Igudia also inadvertently turned the ball into his own net, handing Senegal an additional goal.
Although the Sand Eagles ended the two-match series without a victory, the encounters provided the Nigerian team with valuable preparation against high-quality opposition ahead of their competitive return.
Nigeria will now turn their attention to the Black Sharks of Ghana in the BSAFCON qualifiers, with the first leg scheduled for Saturday, October 10, 2026, in Kaduna. The Sand Eagles will then travel to Accra for the return leg on Sunday, October 18.
The qualifiers are particularly significant as the Confederation of African Football has fixed the 2026 Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations finals for November 28 to December 6 in Senegal.
With the two friendlies against the reigning African champions providing much-needed match exposure, Nigeria will hope to translate the lessons learned into a successful qualifying campaign against Ghana and secure a place at the continental finals.
