The officiating staff in Saturday’s 2026 CAF Seashore Soccer Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match between Nigeria and Ghana has admitted an error after permitting the sport to proceed to further time and penalties.
The primary-leg encounter, performed on the Murtala Muhammed Sq. Seashore Soccer Pitch in Kaduna, ended 3-3 in regulation time. Nevertheless, Moroccan referee Driss Lamghaidar and his assistants mistakenly ordered further time and a penalty shootout, regardless of the tie being a two-legged contest.
Based on the Nigeria Soccer Federation (NFF), Lamghaidar admitted his mistake throughout a gathering on Saturday night time, explaining that the match ought to have ended after regulation time, with the second leg scheduled for Sunday, October 18, in Keta, Ghana.
The admission means the competition stays degree at 3-3, leaving each groups to battle for qualification within the return leg.
Isa Hamza Manga scored all three targets for Nigeria to finish a hat-trick, whereas Mawuli Sosu netted twice for Ghana and Sensible Nyamadi added the opposite objective for the Black Sharks.
The NFF had instantly demanded an evidence following the choice to take the match into further time and penalties, describing the transfer as an error in a two-legged qualifying fixture.
A number of prime officers watched the encounter in Kaduna, together with Chairman of the Nationwide Sports activities Fee, Mallam Shehu Dikko; NFF Performing Basic Secretary, Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme; and Kaduna State Commissioner for Youth and Sports activities, Hon. Ben Kure.
Others current had been Particular Assistants to the NSC Chairman, Barrister Musa Amadu and Clement Nwankpa; NFF Performing Deputy Basic Secretary, Dr Ademola Olajire; and Private Assistant to the NSC Chairman, Alhaji Ahmad Muazu.
Nigeria and Ghana will now meet once more in Keta on October 18, with the winner of the two-legged tie progressing within the race to qualify for the 2026 CAF Seashore Soccer Africa Cup of Nations in Senegal.
