Nigeria beach soccer league ends paving way for AFCON qualifiers

Senegal will host the 2026 CAF Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in November, with Nigeria playing Ghana in October, in a two-legged qualifying round for a spot at the finals.

Oliver Ochieng, Marabou News Agency

Kebbi Fishers Beach Soccer Club (BSC) recently reclaimed the Nigeria Beach Soccer League (NBSL) title after defeating hosts Kada BSC 5-2 in the final of the 2026 Super 4 Finals at Murtala Muhammed Square, in Kaduna, Nigeria.

The two sides entered the decisive encounter knowing a victory would secure the championship after both teams had won their opening two matches against Niger BSC and Ibom BSC respectively.

Kebbi Fishers established a three-goal advantage before Kada BSC pulled two goals back to reduce the deficit. However, Kebbi regained control in the third period, scoring two more to seal a comprehensive victory and lift the title.

Hamza Manga was the standout performer, scoring four goals for Kebbi Fishers, while Hassan Abdullahi added the other goal, while Kada BSC’s goals came through Dozie Frank and Hameed Kareem.

Kebbi Fishers finished top of the Super 4 standings with a maximum nine points, securing a record-extending fourth NBSL league title.

Typically, the NBSL season takes three months with up to seven teams participating. National team coaches attend league matches to scout for talent.

Senegal will host the 2026 CAF Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) from November 7 to 15, 2026 with Nigeria playing Ghana in October, in a two-legged qualifying round for a spot at the finals in Senegal.

Musa Nimrod, chairman, Kaduna Beach soccer team said the recent tournament was part of the preparation for the Ghana game.

“There’s a lot of improvement in the game. There are a lot of technicalities that I have seen among the players and I am pleased with that. The next now is to start preparing for the Ghana tournament.”

On his part, Mahmud Hadejia, president of the African Beach Soccer Union said African federations must start to invest in women beach football, now that a campaign is going on at the global stage to have the first FIFA women’s beach football world cup.

“There’s a lot of campaigns, you know, by the global body to have the first FIFA women’s world cup. And that is why we said we cannot be left behind here in Nigeria, we need to start doing something here. And kudos to the teams. I think all the four teams that participated have really done well,” the president said.

Currently, Nigeria does not have an active national women’s beach soccer league or a beach soccer national women’s team.

Having won two continental titles in 2007 and 2009, Nigeria men’s national beach soccer team is the second most successful on the continent, after Senegal.

Marabou News Agency

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