Nigeria’s Sand Eagles suffered another narrow defeat to Senegal on Monday after losing 2-0 on penalties following a 4-4 draw in regulation and extra time in their second international friendly in Kaduna.
The encounter at the Murtala Muhammed Square Beach Soccer Arena produced another closely contested battle between Nigeria and the defending African champions, with the Sand Eagles once again showing they could compete with Senegal despite the result.
Taiwo Adams was Nigeria’s standout scorer, finding the net twice, while Emeka Ogbonna and Fayowole Egan-Osi also got on the scoresheet.
However, Nigeria struggled to convert their opportunities during the penalty shootout, allowing Senegal to claim victory after the teams could not be separated following extra time.
The result came two days after Nigeria suffered a 6-4 defeat to Senegal in the opening friendly. Abdullahi Hassan scored all four of Nigeria’s goals in that encounter and was named Man of the Match.
The two matches formed part of Nigeria’s preparations for their upcoming Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations qualifying tie against Ghana.
Sand Eagles head coach Abdullahi Isa had described the meetings with Senegal as valuable preparation, particularly because of the West African side’s status as defending and record African champions.
“Playing against the defending and record champions is a good test match for Nigeria,” Isa said, stressing the historical importance of meetings between the two teams.
With the Kaduna friendlies now completed, Nigeria will turn its attention to the Black Sharks of Ghana in the AFCON qualifiers.
The first leg is scheduled to take place in Kaduna on Saturday, October 10, while the return leg will be played in Accra on Saturday, October 17.
Senegal, meanwhile, used the two matches in Kaduna as part of their preparations for the 2026 Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations, which they are scheduled to host from November 7 to 15.
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