By Martin Gomos

Ghana’s Blacks Sharks defeated Nigeria’s Super Sand Eagles  5–4 on penalties after a 4–4 draw in the first leg of their 2026 Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations ( AFCON) Beach soccer qualifier on Saturady at the Murtala square, Kaduna.

The News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) reports that with the win Ghana will  proceed to the second leg which will be held next week in Accra, Ghana.

Speaking after the match, the head coach of Ghana, Daniel Kotey described  the two teams as  perenial rivals with deep respect for each other.

According to him, his team was  confident of  winning the match, saying that  the atmosphere in Kaduna was  very friendly.

“We know definitely we are coming to  Nigeria to win and prepare adequately for the 2nd leg,” he  said.

Daniel who commended the officiating, said that he expects  the officials to replicate same  in the second leg in Accra.

Also speaking, the assistant coach of the Super Star Eagles, Kakari Christopher,  said that  destiny plays a role on its own because they worked very hard for the match to win.

He said the result went the the other way round. He said the Eagles can still beat Ghana in Accra.

Christopher added that his team will  work  on their lapses and adequately prepare to beat  Ghana at home.

“We will concentrate  on the defence. Our attackers are doing great, but the defence, we have to work seriously on  that defence to see what we can do,” he said.

Christopher said his team did not utilise the free-kicks they had as much as their counterparts  who made use of theirs.

He  commended the officiating as being unbias.

Also speaking, the Ghanaian  team Manager Djidodo Reuben described  the victory as very important for his team.

He said it is a two-legged  qualifier, saying that it is not yet over because the second  leg is coming up and they will have to prepare well.

“As a team, we are very good. We know Nigeria has not been in the Beach Soccer fraternity for a couple of years, but having come back now, it’s an excellent showing. So we respect them,”he  said.

“We have that rivalry—the Ghana-Nigeria rivalry—and I think that this is keeping the momentum going” he said

He said that the team will to use the home advantage next week in Accra against Nigeria, saying that they want to be at the AFCON and will fight for the African Championship.

He said that they had an outstanding performance, with Ghana player being the top scorer in the tournament, and the player is consistent with scoring.

Also speaking, the Ghanian Captain Alexander Adjei praised three Nigerian players.

He said he played the Copa Lagos  and  the AFCON with them, adding that are familiar with each other in different competitions.

Reuber described the victory as exciting and appreciated the Nigerian government and relevant stakeholders for their support.