Referees admit error in Nigeria-Ghana beach soccer qualifier

A refereeing error occurred during the first-leg 2026 Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations (BSAFCON) qualifier between Nigeria and Ghana in Kaduna. Although the match ended in a 3–3 draw during regulation time, Moroccan referee Driss Lamghaidar and his officiating crew mistakenly ordered extra time and a penalty shootout.

Under CAF competition guidelines for two-legged knockout ties, a first-leg match that ends in a draw should conclude without extra time, with the aggregate score to be decided after the second leg. Ghana ultimately won the penalty shootout 5–4, causing confusion among players, coaches, and sports officials in attendance.

Following a post-match inquiry by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the officiating team admitted to the administrative blunder. The error has left the aggregate tie delicately balanced heading into the return leg, which is scheduled for October 18 in Keta, Ghana. Isa Hamza Manga scored a hat-trick for Nigeria, while Mawuli Sosu and Wise Nyamadi scored for Ghana.