Nigeria’s Beach soccer team, the Supersand Eagles, on Saturday, July 20, 2024, secured a hard-fought 5-4 victory over Mauritania in Nouakchott, to bolster their chance of qualifying for the 2024 Beach African Cup of Nations after a five-year hiatus.

The Abdullahi Isa-led side won the first period 2-1 with goals from Emeka Ogbonna and Taiwo Adams, but upon resumption of the second period, the Mauritania Beach soccer team restored parity and went ahead before Nigeria equalized to force a 3-3 draw a the end of the second period.

Mauritania, the home side, scored the fourth goal in about three minutes left in the third and final period, but two quick goals from the Supersand Eagles took the game beyond the Mauritanie. 

The victory means the Nigerian side overcame late preparation as they got a much-needed victory away from home in Mauritania, holding on to a crucial one-goal advantage going into the second leg in Nigeria on June 27, 2024.

With 14 nations competing in the qualifiers, only seven will join host nation Egypt in the finals this summer.