Isa Hamza Manga scored all three Nigeria goals as the Sand Eagles drew 3–3 with Ghana in Kaduna on Saturday. The Beach Soccer AFCON qualifying tie remains level ahead of the return in Keta on Sunday, 18 October.
The NFF has clarified that the officials made an error by ordering extra time and penalties after the first leg. The federation said the extra procedures were ‘an anomaly for a two-match fixture’. Saturday’s match must therefore be read as a draw, not as an elimination or a valid shootout victory for either side.
Ghana’s goals came through Mawuli Sosu, who scored twice, and Wise Nyamadi. The Ghana FA’s account also records the 3–3 regulation-time score. Both federations’ reports point supporters back to the same starting position for the return: the contest is still open.
Manga’s hat-trick gives Nigeria an obvious positive to carry forward. It also highlights the defensive work required when a team scores three times at home but cannot establish an advantage. Attacking output matters, yet the next performance will need a balance between creating chances and preventing Ghana from answering.
The correction does not award Nigeria a place at the finals, overturn a regulation-time Ghana lead or turn the first match into a win. It restores the proper status of a first leg that finished level. That is the distinction supporters should keep when discussing the tie.
The remaining football will be decided in Ghana. Nigeria have shown that they can score against the Black Sharks; now they must combine that threat with a more secure performance away from Kaduna. Which change would help the Sand Eagles most in Keta: tighter defending or more support around Manga?
