HEADLINE: Referees Admit Error After Nigeria–Ghana Beach Soccer Match as Sand Eagles Prepare for Decisive Return Leg

By Simpson Global Media News Desk

Nigeria’s Super Sand Eagles and Ghana’s Black Sharks remain level at 3–3 in the first leg of their 2026 Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations qualifying tie after the match officials admitted an error in allowing the contest to proceed to extra time and a penalty shootout.

The match was played on Saturday, October 10, at the Murtala Muhammed Square Beach Soccer Pitch in Kaduna. After regulation time ended 3–3, Moroccan referee Driss Lamghaidar and his assistants directed the teams into extra time and subsequently a penalty shootout, which Ghana initially won 5–4.

However, the officiating team later acknowledged that the additional periods should not have been played because the encounter was the first leg of a two-match qualifying tie. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had demanded an explanation for the decision.

The admission means the penalty-shootout result does not stand as the outcome of the first leg. The match is recorded as a 3–3 draw, leaving the qualification contest unresolved ahead of the return fixture in Keta, Ghana, on Sunday, October 18.

Nigeria’s Isa Hamza Manga scored a hat-trick, while Mawuli Sosu scored twice for Ghana and Wise Nyamadi added the visitors’ third goal.

The incident has drawn attention to the importance of applying competition rules correctly, particularly in two-legged qualifying contests where the outcome of the first match determines the circumstances under which teams approach the return leg.

Sources: Nigeria Football Federation, Ghana News Agency and Voice of Nigeria.

Manga Leads Nigeria’s Attack With Three Goals

The Kaduna encounter produced six goals during regulation time, with Manga accounting for all three scored by Nigeria.

His hat-trick kept the hosts in contention against a Ghanaian side that responded with three goals of its own. Sosu scored twice for the Black Sharks, while Nyamadi contributed the other goal.

The result reflected a closely contested first leg between two West African rivals competing for a place at the 2026 Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled to take place in Senegal in November.

For Nigeria, Manga’s performance was a major individual contribution, but the team was unable to establish a lead before the end of regulation time. Ghana, meanwhile, demonstrated its ability to respond and leave the first match with the scores level.

The 3–3 result means neither side carries a goal advantage into the return fixture. The teams will therefore have to settle the qualification contest in Ghana, where the final result will determine which nation advances to the continental tournament.

Manga’s three goals also provide Nigeria with an important attacking reference point for the next match. His performance demonstrates the threat he can pose in the beach soccer format, although the team will need contributions across the pitch to produce a result in the return leg.

The first match also underlined the importance of defensive organisation. Both teams found the net three times, leaving the qualification tie open and making the second leg particularly important.

How the Officiating Error Happened

The confusion arose after the first leg ended 3–3 in regulation time.

Instead of concluding the match at that point, the officiating team ordered extra time and then a penalty shootout. Ghana won the shootout 5–4, and the initial sequence of events left players, officials and spectators uncertain about the status of the result.

The NFF subsequently sought an explanation, questioning why additional periods had been played when the tie was scheduled to be decided across two matches.

According to the federation’s report, Lamghaidar and his assistants admitted their error during a meeting on Saturday night. The officials acknowledged that they had been wrong to take the first-leg fixture into extra time and penalties.

The admission clarified the position: the match had ended 3–3 after regulation time, and the qualification contest would continue in Ghana.

The mistake was significant because the penalty shootout initially appeared to give Ghana an advantage after the draw. Once the error was acknowledged, that shootout outcome was no longer treated as the result of the first leg.

The incident highlights why officials must be familiar with the regulations governing each specific competition. Rules used to settle a single-match knockout fixture may differ from those applying to the opening match of a home-and-away tie.

In a two-legged contest, the first match is normally followed by a return fixture, with qualification determined under the competition’s applicable rules. Extra time or penalties may be relevant in particular circumstances, but they cannot simply be introduced without regard to the format and regulations.

The NFF’s response and the officials’ admission brought the immediate dispute over the score to a conclusion. The decisive sporting question now returns to the teams: which side will progress when they meet again?

NFF Demands Explanation Following the Match

The Nigeria Football Federation moved to seek clarification after the match officials ordered extra time and penalties.

The federation’s concern was that the contest was the first leg of a two-match qualifying tie. The return fixture had already been scheduled for October 18 in Keta, meaning the teams were expected to play a second match before the qualification outcome was determined.

The NFF’s demand for an explanation focused attention on the officiating decision and the procedures used to manage the match.

The federation’s published account confirmed that the referee and his team admitted the mistake. It also stated that the tie remained open ahead of the return match.

The episode illustrates the importance of clear communication between referees, match commissioners, team officials and tournament organisers. When a decision creates uncertainty over the status of a result, the relevant authorities need to establish what happened and communicate the correct interpretation promptly.

A prompt explanation can prevent an incorrect result from continuing to shape public understanding of a competition. It can also help teams prepare for the next match on the basis of the actual position in the tie.

The published reports do not establish that the incident was deliberate. The available information describes it as an officiating error acknowledged by the referee and his assistants.

It is therefore important to distinguish a documented mistake from claims about motive or wider misconduct. The facts established by the NFF and the Ghana News Agency are that the match officials allowed extra time and penalties, later admitted the error, and the first leg stood at 3–3.

Ghana’s Black Sharks Still Have Home Advantage in the Return Leg

Although the penalty-shootout result was voided, Ghana will host the second leg at the Keta Emancipation Beach Soccer Arena in the Volta Region on Sunday, October 18.

The venue will provide the Black Sharks with the opportunity to play in front of their home supporters as they attempt to secure qualification for the continental tournament.

The home setting may provide an atmosphere that supports Ghana’s preparations, but the team will still need to produce the required performance on the pitch. The first-leg draw gives neither side a goal advantage, so the result in Keta will be decisive under the competition’s rules.

Ghana’s attacking output in Kaduna showed that the team could score against Nigeria. Sosu’s two goals and Nyamadi’s contribution helped the Black Sharks match the hosts, keeping the tie finely balanced.

The team will need to maintain that attacking threat while managing Nigeria’s ability to create scoring opportunities. Manga’s hat-trick means Ghana’s defensive preparations will have to account for the Nigerian forward, alongside the wider attacking movements of the Sand Eagles.

For Ghana, the task is not to defend a penalty-shootout victory from the first leg. That outcome no longer determines the tie. Instead, the team must approach the return fixture as a continuation of a qualification contest that remains level.

Nigeria Must Turn Its Attacking Threat Into a Qualification Result

Nigeria’s Sand Eagles will travel to Ghana knowing that the first-leg draw leaves the qualification contest unresolved.

Manga’s hat-trick offers a positive attacking takeaway from the Kaduna match. Scoring three goals against Ghana demonstrated Nigeria’s capacity to trouble the Black Sharks, but the hosts were unable to prevent the visitors from matching their total.

The second leg will require a complete performance rather than reliance on one player’s contribution. Nigeria will need to create opportunities, defend effectively and manage the match’s key moments.

Beach soccer is played on sand, which changes movement, balance and ball control compared with conventional football. Teams must adapt to the surface, make quick decisions and take advantage of scoring opportunities when they arise.

The format can produce rapid changes in momentum, making concentration important throughout the match. A team that concedes can face pressure to respond quickly, while a side that takes the lead must balance its attacking intentions with defensive discipline.

Nigeria’s technical staff will have to assess the first-leg performance and prepare the players for the conditions expected in Keta. The team’s preparations may include reviewing how Ghana created its scoring opportunities, how Nigeria defended those situations and how the Sand Eagles can sustain their attacking output.

The return fixture will also test the players’ ability to handle the atmosphere of an away match. Ghana’s supporters will be behind the home side, while Nigeria will need to remain organised and focused in an environment where the hosts will be seeking to complete the qualification assignment.

The 3–3 draw means there is no cushion from the first leg. Nigeria will need to obtain the result required by the competition rules to secure a place in Senegal.

What the Result Means for Qualification

The first-leg draw leaves the two teams on equal terms after the opening match.

The 5–4 penalty-shootout result initially suggested that Ghana had secured an advantage, but the officials’ admission of error changed that interpretation. The shootout was not the appropriate method for deciding the opening leg of the two-match tie.

With the score standing at 3–3, the teams must now contest the return fixture. The winner of the overall tie will qualify for the 2026 Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations in Senegal.

The precise qualification implications of different possible results must be assessed under the tournament’s applicable rules. The key confirmed point is that the first leg did not produce a winning team, and neither Nigeria nor Ghana holds an advantage from the match’s penalty shootout.

That makes the October 18 encounter the central event in the qualifying contest.

For supporters, the corrected result provides clarity about what is at stake. Ghana has not been awarded a first-leg victory through the shootout, and Nigeria has not been eliminated. Both teams remain in the race.

The remaining match will determine which side advances, subject to the competition regulations governing the tie.

Why Beach Soccer Matters to Nigeria’s Sports Programme

Beach soccer is one of the football formats through which national teams compete in international tournaments beyond the traditional eleven-a-side game.

The discipline requires technical skill, physical coordination, tactical awareness and the ability to adjust to a playing surface that differs significantly from grass or artificial turf.

Nigeria’s Super Sand Eagles have represented the country in African beach soccer competitions, and qualification for the continental championship would provide another opportunity to compete against leading teams from across the continent.

A successful qualification campaign can also help maintain interest in the sport, create opportunities for players and give coaches additional experience in preparing teams for international competition.

However, participation at a continental tournament depends on results, preparation and the applicable qualification process. Nigeria must first settle the tie against Ghana before it can turn its attention to the tournament in Senegal.

The Kaduna fixture attracted senior sports officials, including National Sports Commission Chairman Shehu Dikko, NFF Acting General Secretary Emmanuel Ikpeme and Kaduna State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Ben Kure, according to the NFF.

Their presence reflected the attention being paid to the qualifying match, although the officials’ attendance does not alter the sporting requirements for progression.

For the teams, the priority remains preparation for the return leg and execution on the pitch.

The Importance of Consistent Officiating

The incident in Kaduna has renewed attention on the need for referees to apply the correct regulations in international qualifying competitions.

Match officials are responsible for managing the game in accordance with the laws and competition rules. Their decisions can affect the conduct of a match and, in some circumstances, the interpretation of a result.

When an error occurs, a transparent explanation is important. In this case, the referee and assistants acknowledged that they should not have allowed extra time and penalties after the first leg ended level.

That admission helped clarify the status of the match. It also demonstrated why governing bodies and teams need a clear process for raising questions about officiating decisions.

The broader issue is how competition organisers ensure that officials understand the format of the tournament they are assigned to manage. Briefings, access to regulations and clear communication among match officials can all help reduce the risk of similar mistakes.

No additional disciplinary outcome was confirmed in the reports cited for this article. It would therefore be premature to claim that the referee or assistants had been suspended, sanctioned or removed from future assignments.

The confirmed development is the admission of error and the clarification that the match ended 3–3 after regulation time.

A Lesson for Match Management and Tournament Organisers

The episode also offers a practical lesson for organisers of two-legged competitions.

Before a match begins, officials and participating teams need to share a clear understanding of the applicable rules, including how the first leg is concluded and how the overall tie is decided.

Where the regulations provide for a return match, the first-leg result must be recorded correctly so that both teams know the position going into the second fixture.

If there is uncertainty about the competition format, match officials should consult the relevant regulations and seek clarification through the proper channels rather than introducing a procedure that does not apply.

Tournament organisers can support this process by ensuring that the match commissioner, referees and team representatives have the relevant rules and match arrangements available before kickoff.

Accurate match records are also essential. The official score, the status of the tie and any decisions affecting the result should be communicated consistently to the teams and public.

In Kaduna, the officials’ admission resolved the immediate confusion about the shootout. The next priority is to ensure that the return match proceeds under the correct rules and that the result is clearly documented.

What Supporters Should Expect on October 18

The return leg in Keta is scheduled for Sunday, October 18, at the Keta Emancipation Beach Soccer Arena, with a place at the 2026 Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations in Senegal at stake.

Supporters should expect a match in which both teams have a clear incentive to secure the result needed for qualification. Nigeria will seek to build on Manga’s scoring performance, while Ghana will look to use its home setting and attacking contributions from the first leg.

Neither team can rely on the penalty shootout from Kaduna as a source of advantage. The tie remains level at 3–3 after the first match, and the second leg will determine which side advances.

The match will also provide an opportunity for both teams to put the controversy surrounding the first leg behind them and focus on football.

For Nigeria, qualification would require an effective away performance. For Ghana, the task is to convert the opportunity of playing at home into progression. The final outcome will depend on the match itself and the rules governing the two-legged tie.

The Road Ahead

The Nigeria–Ghana beach soccer qualifying contest has returned to its proper sporting position after the match officials admitted that they wrongly allowed extra time and penalties in the first leg.

Nigeria’s Sand Eagles and Ghana’s Black Sharks finished 3–3 in regulation time in Kaduna on October 10. Manga scored all three of Nigeria’s goals, while Sosu and Nyamadi supplied Ghana’s response.

The subsequent 5–4 penalty shootout initially appeared to settle the match in Ghana’s favour, but the officiating team acknowledged that the procedure was an error because the tie was only at its first-leg stage.

The result now stands at 3–3, and the teams will meet again in Keta on October 18 to decide which country qualifies for the continental championship in Senegal.

The incident underlines the importance of accurate officiating, clear tournament regulations and prompt communication when questions arise about a match result. It also leaves the sporting contest open, with both teams required to deliver in the return fixture.

For Nigeria, Manga’s hat-trick offers a foundation to build on, but qualification will depend on the collective performance of the team. Ghana, meanwhile, will look to make its home advantage count.

The next chapter of the contest will be decided on the sand in Keta, where both nations will have another opportunity to secure their place at the 2026 Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations.

Sources and further reading:

• Nigeria Football Federation — Referees admit error; Nigeria–Ghana match ends 3–3

• Ghana News Agency — Referees admit error as Ghana and Nigeria settle for 3–3 draw

• Voice of Nigeria — Referee admits error in Nigeria–Ghana qualifier

• The Guardian Nigeria — Beach Soccer AFCON qualifier and officiating controversy

Simpson Global Media will continue to follow the Sand Eagles’ preparations and report the verified outcome of the decisive return fixture.