Nigeria’s Beach Soccer national team, the Sand Eagles, were defeated 6-4 by African champions Senegal in their second friendly at Murtala Muhammed Square in Kaduna on Monday.
The result followed a similar Senegal victory in Saturday’s first match of the two-game series.
Despite the back-to-back defeats, Nigeria produced another determined performance against a side with greater recent international experience. The Sand Eagles had not played competitively on the international stage for two years, but showed little evidence of that lack of action during the friendlies.
Coach Abdullahi Isa’s team displayed increased energy and resilience in the second meeting. Hassan Abdullahi, Hamza Manga, Sodiq Umar and Hassan Abubakar scored for Nigeria.
Senegal’s goals came from Libasse Mbaye, Mamadou Sylla, Assane Ba, Mandione Laye Diagne and goalkeeper Oussaynou Faye. Nigeria’s Godspower Igudia also inadvertently added to Senegal’s total by deflecting the ball into his own net.
The two matches formed part of Nigeria’s preparations for their Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations qualifying tie against Ghana, with the first leg scheduled for Saturday, 10th October 2026 in Kaduna.
The Sand Eagles will then travel to Accra for the return leg against Ghana’s Black Sharks on Sunday, 18th October.
Although Nigeria lost both friendlies narrowly, the fixtures gave the team the opportunity to improve its tactical and technical readiness before the qualifying campaign begins.
The Confederation of African Football has scheduled this year’s Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations finals to take place in Senegal from 28th November to 6th December.