Sand Eagles Gain Confidence Despite Back-to-Back Defeats to Senegal

Posted : 07 October 2026

Nigeria’s Sand Eagles may have suffered another defeat to African champions Senegal, but their spirited performance in Kaduna has provided encouragement ahead of their crucial Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.

The Coach Abdullahi Isa-tutored side lost 4–6 to Senegal on Monday at Murtala Muhammed Square, Kaduna, following a similar result in Saturday’s opening friendly.

Despite the two defeats, the Sand Eagles displayed considerable improvement in the second encounter, matching the continental champions with determination and attacking intent.

Hassan Abdullahi, Hamza Manga, Sodiq Umar and Hassan Abubakar found the net for Nigeria in a competitive encounter that tested the team’s tactical organisation against one of Africa’s strongest beach soccer sides.

Senegal, however, maintained their advantage through goals from Libasse Mbaye, Mamadou Sylla, Assane Ba, Mandione Laye Diagne and goalkeeper Oussaynou Faye.

Nigeria also conceded an unfortunate own goal after Godspower Igudia deflected the ball into his own net, adding to Senegal’s tally.

The two-match series offered the Sand Eagles an important opportunity to regain competitive sharpness after spending about two years without playing on the international stage.

Although Senegal emerged victorious in both matches, Nigeria showed enough resilience and attacking quality to suggest that the team is steadily building momentum ahead of the more consequential fixtures.

The friendlies were particularly important for Coach Isa and his technical crew to assess the team’s tactical readiness, defensive organisation and individual performances before the start of the BSAFCON qualifiers.

Nigeria will now turn their attention to Ghana, with the Sand Eagles scheduled to face the Black Sharks in the first leg of the qualifying tie on Saturday, October 10, in Kaduna.

The team will then travel to Accra for the return leg on Sunday, October 18, with qualification for the continental championship at stake.

The technical crew will hope to use the lessons from the Senegal series to address the areas that require improvement before the competitive encounters against Ghana.

The 2026 Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations finals are scheduled to take place in Senegal from November 28 to December 6.

For the Sand Eagles, the immediate objective is to convert the experience gained against the African champions into a strong qualifying performance against Ghana and secure their place at the continental showpiece.

Sand Eagles Gain Confidence Despite Back-to-Back Defeats to Senegal

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