Gallant Sand Eagles Fall Short Against Senegal in Kaduna Thriller

Nigeria’s Sand Eagles pushed African champions Senegal all the way before suffering a narrow 6-4 defeat in the first of two international friendlies in Kaduna on Saturday.

Senegal took an early lead through Laye Diagne, but Nigeria quickly levelled through Abdullahi Hassan at the Murtala Muhammed Square Beach Soccer Pitch.

Hassan went on to score all four of Nigeria’s goals and was rewarded with the Man of the Match award.

Senegal’s remaining goals came from Mamadou Sylla, who completed a hat-trick, Ninou Jean-Paul Diatta and Asane Ba.

The second friendly between the teams will be played at the same venue on Monday morning.

The matches are part of Nigeria’s preparations for their CAF Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations qualifying tie against Ghana this month.

Senegal, who are defending African champions, are using the friendlies to prepare for the tournament after qualifying automatically as hosts.