Nigeria’s Supersand Eagles fought bravely but ultimately fell short as Mauritania secured a 6-5 victory, advancing to this year’s Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations on the away goal rule.
At the Beach Soccer Arena, Murtala Muhammed Square, Kaduna, the two-time African champions displayed passion and energy but were undone by a controversial last-minute penalty awarded by Mozambican referee Dique Salvador Muxanga. The penalty, converted by Mauritania, ended the game at 6-5, resulting in a 10-10 aggregate score, with Mauritania progressing due to their away goal advantage.
Trailing 4-5 from the first leg in Nouakchott, Mauritania scored within three minutes of the second leg. Taiwo Adams, one of Nigeria’s scorers in the first leg, quickly equalized. Despite multiple attacks and hitting the crossbar, Mauritania was repeatedly thwarted by Nigerian goalkeeper Godwin Tale.
The visitors regained the lead early in the second period. Hassan Abdullahi recently voted the most valuable player of the Nigeria Beach Soccer League, equalized with a direct kick. However, Mauritania surged to a two-goal lead with direct kicks before the end of the second period.
In the third period, Nigeria reduced the deficit with another goal from Adams. Mauritania restored their two-goal advantage with a penalty, but Nigeria fought back with two goals in the closing stages, making it 5-5. However, a controversial penalty awarded to Mauritania in the final 60 seconds sealed Nigeria’s fate.
Mauritania will join hosts Egypt, Morocco, and Tanzania, along with four other qualifiers, in the 8-Nation
