Referees Admit Error as Nigeria, Ghana Beach Soccer Clash Ends 3-3
The officiating team in Saturday’s 2026 CAF Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match between Nigeria and Ghana has admitted an error after allowing the game to proceed to extra time and penalties.
The first-leg encounter, played at the Murtala Muhammed Square Beach Soccer Pitch in Kaduna, ended 3-3 in regulation time. However, Moroccan referee Driss Lamghaidar and his assistants mistakenly ordered extra time and a penalty shootout, despite the tie being a two-legged contest.
According to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Lamghaidar admitted his mistake during a meeting on Saturday night, explaining that the match should have ended after regulation time, with the second leg scheduled for Sunday, October 18, in Keta, Ghana.
The admission means the contest remains level at 3-3, leaving both teams to battle for qualification in the return leg.
Isa Hamza Manga scored all three goals for Nigeria to complete a hat-trick, while Mawuli Sosu netted twice for Ghana and Wise Nyamadi added the other goal for the Black Sharks.
The NFF had immediately demanded an explanation following the decision to take the match into extra time and penalties, describing the move as an error in a two-legged qualifying fixture.
Several top officials watched the encounter in Kaduna, including Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko; NFF Acting General Secretary, Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme; and Kaduna State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Hon. Ben Kure.
Others present were Special Assistants to the NSC Chairman, Barrister Musa Amadu and Clement Nwankpa; NFF Acting Deputy General Secretary, Dr Ademola Olajire; and Personal Assistant to the NSC Chairman, Alhaji Ahmad Muazu.
Nigeria and Ghana will now meet again in Keta on October 18, with the winner of the two-legged tie progressing in the race to qualify for the 2026 CAF Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations in Senegal.
