Referee Admits Error as Nigeria, Ghana Beach Soccer Tie Remains 3-3
The Moroccan referee who officiated Saturday’s 2026 CAF Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match between Nigeria and Ghana in Kaduna has admitted an error in ordering extra time and penalties after the first leg ended 3-3.
Driss Lamghaidar and his officiating team acknowledged the mistake at a meeting on Saturday night after the decision to continue the match beyond regulation time caused confusion among officials and spectators at the Murtala Muhammed Square Beach Soccer Pitch.
The admission means the first-leg encounter remains a 3-3 draw, leaving Nigeria and Ghana to battle for qualification in the return leg scheduled for Sunday, October 18, in Keta, Ghana.
Isa Hamza Manga scored a hat-trick for Nigeria, while Mawuli Sosu netted twice and Wise Nyamadi added a goal for Ghana’s Black Sharks.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had immediately sought an explanation for the decision to proceed to extra time and penalties, arguing that the match was the first of a two-leg qualifying tie and that the outcome should be determined after the return fixture.
Saturday’s match attracted several top officials, including National Sports Commission Chairman Shehu Dikko, NFF Acting General Secretary Emmanuel Ikpeme and Kaduna State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Ben Kure.
With the officiating error acknowledged, the two teams will now head into the second leg with the aggregate score level at 3-3 and qualification still to be decided.
