Super Sand Eagles Face Senegal In Double-Header Before Ghana Battle
By TAYO TAIWO (T. T.) OLUWOLE
NIGERIA’S Super Sand Eagles will face Senegal in a two-match international friendly series as they step up preparations for the 2026 Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
The two West African sides will meet at the Murtala Muhammed Square Beach Soccer Arena in Kaduna.
The first match is scheduled for Saturday 3rd October. The return fixture will follow on Monday 5 October. Both games will kick off at 4:00 p.m.
For Nigeria, the double-header comes at an important stage of its preparation. The team will face Ghana in the second round of the BSAFCON qualifiers shortly afterwards.
CAF has scheduled the first leg of the Nigeria-Ghana tie for 9–11 October. The return leg will take place between 16 and 18 October. The winner will secure a place at the eight-team continental finals in Senegal.
Meanwhile, Senegal already have their place at the finals. The hosts also enter the tournament as reigning champions.
Indeed, Senegal remain the most successful side in the competition. They have won a record five titles and claimed each of the last five editions in 2016, 2018, 2021, 2022 and 2024.
Nigeria, on the other hand, have lifted the continental trophy twice. The Super Sand Eagles won the titles in 2007 and 2009.
However, they missed the 2024 finals after Mauritania eliminated them during the qualifying campaign.
Consequently, the Kaduna matches offer Nigeria an opportunity to test its squad against one of Africa’s most successful beach soccer teams before the decisive Ghana tie.
The technical crew will also have a chance to assess players, work on tactical adjustments and strengthen the team’s competitive rhythm.
Furthermore, facing Senegal should provide a demanding test before Nigeria turns its attention to Ghana.
The 2026 Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations will hold in Senegal from 7 to 15 November. The tournament will also form part of the qualification pathway to the 2027 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.
With the Ghana qualifiers approaching, Nigeria will hope the Kaduna double-header provides the preparation needed for another continental campaign.
