Senegal 2026 Race: Gallant Sand Eagles lose narrowly to Senegal in friendly

AFOLABI SAHEED OLAWALE

Nigeria’s beach soccer team, Sand Eagles, put up a credible fight in the first of their two international friendly matches against perennial and defending African champions Senegal in Kaduna on Saturday, before losing 4-6.

The match at the Murtala Muhammed Square Beach Soccer Pitch was very competitive and entertaining. Senegal scored first through Laye Diagne but Nigeria swifty levelled up through Abdullahi Hassan. Senegal’s other goals came through Mamadou Sylla (hat trick), Ninou Jean-Paul Diatta, and Asane Ba.

Hassan scored all of Nigeria’s four goals, and was justifiably handed the Man-of-the-Match award.

The second of the two friendly matches will take place at the same venue on Monday morning.

While the Sand Eagles are using the matches as part of their preparations for the CAF Beach Soccer AFCON qualifying fixture against Ghana this month, the African champions are using them to prepare for the BSAFCON itself, having already qualified as hosts.