National Teams
Nigeria 5-6 Mauritania: Sand Eagles crash out of 2024 BSAFCON on away-goal rule
By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde
Nigeria Beach Soccer national team will not take part at this year’s Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations (BSAFCON) after a 6-5 loss to Mauritania in the return leg of the qualifiers at the Murtala Muhammed Square, Kaduna on Saturday.
The Supersand Eagles had won the first leg 5-4 but struggled to go ahead in the second leg.
Mauritania goalkeeper, Abdulazizi broke the deadlock in the first period before Taiwo Adams’ equaliser.
Jati Malik restored the visitors lead in the second period but Abdullahi Hassan restored parity from the spot.
A brace from Sheik Ben Che gave Mauritania a 4-2 lead at the end of the second period.
Adams reduced the deficit to 4-3 in third period but Mauritania converted a penalty to restore their two goal lead.
Two goals from Emeka Ogbonna and Victor Tale made it 5-5 before a penalty from Muhammamou Eli broke Nigeria’s heart.
Mauritania won the match on an away goal rule after the game ended 10-10 on aggregate to qualify for the 2024 AFCON in Egypt.
They joined host Egypt, Morocco, Tanzania, Malawi, and Mozambique in qualifying for the biennial tournament.
Nigeria will have to try again the next time and won’t take part when the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup comes to Africa for the first time next year with Seychelles hosting the Mundial.
