Senegal 2026 Race: NFF Demands Answers as Referees Admit Error Over Penalty Shootout

Nigeria’s Sand Eagles and Ghana’s Black Sharks will head into the decisive second leg of their 2026 Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations (BSAFCON) qualifier after match officials admitted an error in allowing Saturday’s first-leg encounter to proceed to extra time and a penalty shootout in Kaduna.

Moroccan referee Driss Lamghaidar and his assistants acknowledged their mistake after Nigeria and Ghana played out a 3-3 draw at the Murtala Muhammed Square Beach Soccer Pitch, before the officials allowed the contest to continue beyond regulation time.

The decision sparked confusion among spectators and dignitaries, as the encounter was the first leg of a two-match qualifying tie, with the return fixture scheduled for Sunday, October 18, in Keta, Ghana.

At a meeting on Saturday night, Lamghaidar reportedly admitted that the officiating team had erred by allowing extra time and penalties.

The admission leaves the tie level at 3-3, with both teams to settle the qualification contest in Ghana.

Manga, Sosu Star in Kaduna Thriller

Isa Hamza Manga was Nigeria’s standout performer, scoring a hat-trick for the Sand Eagles in an entertaining encounter against their West African rivals.

Ghana’s Mawuli Sosu struck twice, while Wise Nyamadi added another goal for the Black Sharks as both teams finished regulation time level at 3-3.

The result sets up a decisive return leg in Keta, where Nigeria and Ghana will battle for a place at the 2026 BSAFCON tournament.

NFF Demands Explanation Over Refereeing Blunder

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) demanded an explanation from the match officials over their decision to take the first-leg fixture into extra time and penalties.

The federation questioned the decision, given that the qualification tie was scheduled to be decided over two legs, with the second encounter still to come.

The officials’ subsequent admission has brought clarity to the situation, leaving the two teams to determine the outcome on the pitch in Ghana.

Top Officials Witness Kaduna Encounter

Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, was among the dignitaries who watched the match at the Murtala Muhammed Square Beach Soccer Pitch.

Others in attendance included NFF Acting General Secretary Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme, Kaduna State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Hon. Ben Kure, and the NSC chairman’s special assistants, Barrister Musa Amadu and Clement Nwankpa.

NFF Acting Deputy General Secretary Dr Ademola Olajire and the NSC chairman’s Personal Assistant, Alhaji Ahmad Muazu, also witnessed the encounter.

With the officiating error acknowledged, attention now shifts to the return leg in Keta on October 18, where the Sand Eagles and the Black Sharks will resume their contest for a place at the 2026 Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations.