Black Sharks qualify for 2026 Beach Soccer AFCON after beating Nigeria

The Black Sharks of Ghana have qualified for the 2026 CAF Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations in Senegal after defeating Nigeria’s Super Sand Eagles 7-0 in the second leg of their qualifying tie at Keta Emancipation Beach.

The result gave Ghana a 10-3 aggregate victory after the first leg ended in a 3-3 draw at the Murtala Muhammed Square Beach Soccer Pitch in Kaduna, Nigeria.

The Black Sharks produced an impressive performance on home sand, combining grit, flair and clinical finishing to overcome one of Africa’s traditional beach soccer powerhouses and secure a return to the continent’s biggest competition in the sport.

For Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, who played a leading role in introducing an organised beach soccer league in Ghana, the qualification represents a significant achievement for the country.

He described the victory over Nigeria as a major milestone, noting that it was Ghana’s first win against the Super Sand Eagles after four previous encounters.

“This is the first time Ghana has beaten Nigeria after four encounters, and it is a big achievement,” he said.

Ampofo Ankrah, however, believes the team must build on the success and work towards qualifying for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, insisting that reaching the global stage is an attainable ambition.

He congratulated the players and technical officials for their efforts, while also commending the organisers for staging the return leg at Keta Emancipation Beach in the Volta Region.

The occasion attracted a large crowd, with music, entertainment and celebrations adding to the atmosphere as supporters watched the Black Sharks secure qualification.

Ghana’s qualification sets up another major challenge at the 2026 CAF Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations in Senegal in November, where the team will hope to make a strong impression against the continent’s leading sides.

Having overcome Nigeria, the Black Sharks will now turn their attention to preparing for the tournament, with an opportunity to demonstrate their progress and pursue a place on the world stage.