The match at Murtala Muhammed Square in Kaduna was followed by confusion after the officials ordered extra time and a penalty shootout. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) later confirmed that referee Driss Lamghaidar admitted the decision was an error because the fixture was the first leg of a two-match qualifying tie.
As a result, the tie remains level ahead of the return fixture in Ghana.
Manga shines with three goals for Nigeria
Manga delivered an outstanding individual performance, scoring all three of Nigeria’s goals to keep the Sand Eagles in contention against their West African rivals.
His hat-trick highlighted Nigeria’s attacking threat in a closely contested encounter, but Ghana matched the hosts’ scoring efforts to ensure the match ended level after regulation time.
Mawuli Sosu scored twice for the Black Sharks, while Wise Nyamadi also found the net for Ghana.
Referee admits error over extra time and penalties
The NFF said the match officials acknowledged their mistake during a meeting on Saturday night.
According to the federation, the match had ended 3–3 after the regulation period, and extra time and penalties should not have been played in the first leg of the two-legged tie.
The NFF had requested an explanation immediately after the match, describing the decision to proceed to extra time and penalties as an anomaly.
The clarification means the reported penalty-shootout result does not decide the tie. Both teams remain in contention for qualification.
Decisive return leg awaits in Ghana
Nigeria will travel to Keta for the second leg on Sunday, 18 October, knowing that qualification remains within reach.
The winner on aggregate will secure a place at the 2026 CAF Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations in Senegal, scheduled for 7–15 November.
With the first leg ending level, the Sand Eagles must deliver a strong performance away from home to overcome Ghana and secure their place at the continental tournament.
The Black Sharks, meanwhile, will look to use home advantage to settle the tie and book their own ticket to Senegal.