By Evans Worlanyo Ameamu, GNA
Keta (VR), Oct. 11, GNA-The Ghana Black Sharks and Super Sand Eagles of Nigeria have settled for a 3-3 draw in the first leg of the 2026 Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers after the match officials admitted an error in allowing extra time and a penalty shootout.
The encounter, played at the Murtala Muhammed Square Beach Soccer Pitch in Kaduna on October 10, was initially followed by extra time and a penalty shootout, which Ghana won 5-4. However, the officiating team later acknowledged that the match should have ended after regulation time.
Ghana News Agency, gathered that the Moroccan referee Driss Lamghaidar and his assistants admitted the error during a meeting on Saturday night, following concerns raised over the decision to continue the match beyond the regulation period.
The admission means the first-leg encounter stands at 3-3, leaving both countries to battle for qualification in the return fixture scheduled for October 18, at the Keta Emancipation Beach Soccer Arena in the Volta Region.
Nigeria’s Isa Hamza Manga was the outstanding performer for the hosts, scoring a hat-trick, while Mawuli Sosu netted twice for Ghana Black Sharks and Wise Nyamadi added the third goal for the visitors.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) moved swiftly to demand an explanation from the match officials after the encounter, questioning the decision to proceed to extra time and penalties when the tie was only at the first-leg stage.
The incident created confusion among spectators and dignitaries at the venue, with the subsequent admission by the referees bringing the focus back to the decisive second leg in Ghana.
Despite the controversy, both teams demonstrated considerable attacking quality during the match, with Ghana showing resilience in responding to Nigeria’s scoring efforts to secure the 3-3 regulation-time draw.
The Black Sharks would now compete before their home supporters in Keta, where they would seek to deliver a strong performance and secure qualification for the continental championship.
The Super Sand Eagles, meanwhile, were expected to approach the return fixture with determination, knowing that the tie remains evenly poised and that their performance in Keta would be crucial to their qualification hopes.
The second-leg encounter was scheduled to kick off at 1500 hours on Sunday, at the Keta Emancipation Beach Soccer Arena, with a place at the 2026 Beach Soccer AFCON in Senegal at stake.
Mr Yaw Kusi Gyamfi Aware, Chairman of the National Beach Soccer League Committee, earlier told the Ghana News Agency that the Black Sharks would secure victory in Keta and qualify for the next AFCON.
He urged football fans and supporters across the country to attend the match in their numbers to support the national team and inspire the players to victory.
The return fixture is expected to test both teams’ attacking strength, defensive organisation and ability to handle pressure, as neither side has established an advantage following the 3-3 draw in Kaduna.
Ghana would therefore be seeking to capitalise on home support to complete the qualifying assignment successfully, while Nigeria would be determined to overcome the Black Sharks and book a place at the continental championship in Senegal.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Kenneth Odeng Adade
October 11, 2026