Sand Eagles Stumble Again, Suffer Back-to-Back 6-4 Defeats To Senegal

Nigeria’s Sand Eagles suffered another setback in their preparations for the 2026 CAF Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers after losing 6-4 to Senegal in a friendly at the Murtala Muhammed Square Beach Soccer Pitch in Kaduna on Monday.

The defeat was the second successive 6-4 loss suffered by Nigeria against the reigning African power in the space of three days, after Senegal recorded the same scoreline in the opening friendly at the same venue on Saturday.

Hassan Abdullahi, who scored all four of Nigeria’s goals in the first encounter, was again on target, while Hamza Manga, Sodiq Umar and Hassan Abubakar also found the net for the Sand Eagles.

Senegal were led by Man of the Match Oussaynou Faye, who was among the scorers alongside Libasse Mbaye, Mamadou Sylla, Assane Ba and Mandione Laye Diagne.

Nigeria’s Godspower Igudia also conceded an own goal as Senegal secured another victory over the hosts.

Despite the consecutive defeats, the two matches have provided the Sand Eagles with valuable preparation ahead of their crucial CAF Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations (BSAFCON) qualifying tie against Ghana later this month.

Nigeria will host Ghana in the first leg at the Murtala Muhammed Square Beach Soccer Pitch in Kaduna on Saturday, October 10, before travelling to Accra for the return leg on Saturday, October 17.

The aggregate winner of the two-legged tie will secure qualification for the 2026 BSAFCON finals.