Black Sharks depart for Nigeria ahead of Sand Eagles clash

Ghana’s National Beach Soccer Team, the Black Sharks, have departed Accra for Nigeria ahead of their first-leg clash against the Sand Eagles of Nigeria in the 2026 CAF Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

The delegation left Accra at 12:45 p.m. on Thursday, October 8, after an unexpected delay to their originally scheduled 9:00 a.m. departure. The team arrived at the airport as early as 7:00 a.m. to complete the necessary travel formalities, only to be informed that their flight to Abuja had been delayed by almost five hours.

The Black Sharks have since departed Accra and are expected to travel onward from Abuja to Kaduna, where they will continue preparations for Saturday’s crucial encounter.

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The delegation comprises 15 players and seven technical team members, and is being led by the Chairman of the Ghana Football Association Beach Soccer Committee.

The Black Sharks will face the Sand Eagles on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. in the first leg of the two-legged qualifier.

The return leg is scheduled for Sunday, October 18, 2026, at the Keta Beach Soccer Arena (Emancipation Beach).

The winner on aggregate over the two legs will qualify for the 2026 CAF Beach Soccer AFCON in Senegal, scheduled to be held later in October and November. The continental championship will also serve as the qualification pathway to the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.

SB/JKB

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