Beach Soccer AFCONQ: Sand Eagles to land in Nigeria on Monday ahead of return leg

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

After a hard-fought 5-4 win over Mauritania in the first leg of the 2024 Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations (BSAFCON) Qualifiers last weekend, players and officials of the Nigeria Beach Soccer national team are scheduled to return to the country shortly before Tuesday midnight.

A spirited performance from the Super Sand Eagles saw them come from behind to secure an away win over Mauritania in the first leg at the Stade Pape Amghar Dieng, Nouakchott on Saturday.

Two goals from Emeka Ogbonna and Taiwo Adams lifted the two-time Africa champions to a 2-0 lead before Mauritania reduced the deficit before the end of the first period.

The host scored two goals to go ahead in the second period but Victor Tale’s penalty made it 3-3.

Mauritania took the lead again in the third and final period before goals from Adams and Tale secured a 5-4 win for Super Sand Eagles.

The match marked Abdullahi Isa’s side’s first international match since 2019.

The return leg will be held at the Murtala Muhammed Square, Kaduna on Saturday afternoon.

The winner of the match on aggregate will qualify for the 2024 Beach Soccer AFCON in Egypt.