Nigeria’s beach soccer team, the Super Sand Eagles, suffered a 5-4 penalty shootout defeat to Ghana’s Black Sharks after a thrilling 4-4 draw in the first leg of their 2026 Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations (BSAFCON) qualifying tie in Kaduna on Saturday.
In a separate development, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Burkina Faso, Ambassador Syndoph Endoni, has charged the Golden Eaglets to pursue victory at the WAFU-B Under-17 Championship, pledging strong support from Nigerians living in the host country.
Key Highlights
- Super Sand Eagles drew 4-4 with Ghana’s Black Sharks before losing 5-4 on penalties in Kaduna.
- Isa Hamza Manga scored a hat-trick, while Ekene Obi netted in extra time.
- The return leg holds next Sunday in Keta, with a BSAFCON 2026 ticket to Senegal at stake.
- Ambassador Syndoph Endoni hosted the Golden Eaglets to dinner at the Nigerian Embassy in Ouagadougou.
- Endoni pledged that thousands of Nigerians in Burkina Faso will support the team at the WAFU-B U-17 Championship.
Sand Eagles Fall Short On Home Sand
The Super Sand Eagles were unable to secure victory on home sand despite an impressive hat-trick from Isa Hamza Manga and an extra-time goal by Ekene Obi.
Manga opened the scoring for Nigeria and continued to trouble the Ghanaian defence as the hosts battled to gain an advantage in the first leg.
However, the Black Sharks remained competitive, with Mawuli Sosu scoring twice before Wise Nyamadi struck an equaliser in extra time to ensure the encounter ended 4-4.
Ghana eventually prevailed 5-4 in the penalty shootout, taking an advantage into the return leg scheduled for next Sunday in Keta.
The result leaves Nigeria needing a strong away performance to keep their qualification hopes alive.
The winner of the two-legged contest will earn a place at the 2026 BSAFCON finals in Senegal.
Ambassador Charges Golden Eaglets To Win WAFU-B Title
Meanwhile, Ambassador Endoni has urged Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets to make the country proud by winning the WAFU-B Under-17 Championship in Burkina Faso.
The ambassador delivered the message during a dinner organised in honour of the team and its officials at the Nigerian Embassy in Ouagadougou on Friday evening.
Addressing the players, Endoni reminded them of the responsibility that comes with representing Nigeria, noting that millions of young footballers aspire to wear the national colours.
“I therefore charge you to fly Nigeria’s flag higher and higher. Win for us. Win for the millions of football-loving Nigerians all over the world,” he said.
The ambassador, who disclosed that he was a former basketball player and the founder of Royal Hoopers Basketball Club in Port Harcourt, which later became Rivers Hoopers, encouraged the young players to learn from their mistakes and remain determined throughout the competition.
He also highlighted the role of sports in youth development, urging the players to serve as positive examples to other young Nigerians.
According to him, football can help steer young people away from criminality while promoting national unity and discipline.
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Ahead of Nigeria’s opening match against Niger Republic on Wednesday, Endoni assured the Golden Eaglets of strong support from Nigerians residing in Burkina Faso.
He disclosed that thousands of Nigerians live in the country and promised to mobilise the community to attend the team’s matches and cheer the players.
“I want to assure you that Nigerians here will be at the stadium to support the team. We have thousands of Nigerians in this country.
“The Nigerian community will give the team huge support in all its matches in the championship,” he said.
The ambassador’s pledge provides additional encouragement for the Golden Eaglets as they prepare to compete for honours at the regional tournament.
While the Sand Eagles seek to overturn their first-leg setback against Ghana, the Golden Eaglets will look to convert the backing of the Nigerian community into strong performances at the WAFU-B U-17 Championship.
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