Ghana’s national beach soccer team, the Black Sharks, have booked their ticket to the 2026 CAF Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations in Senegal with a commanding 7-4 win over arch‑rivals Nigeria in the final round of qualifiers. The match, played at the Keta Emancipation beach arena, saw Ghana overturn a narrow first‑leg deficit and finish the tie on a 10-7 aggregate, leaving no doubt about their intent heading into the continental finals.

The second leg unfolded as a high‑octane showcase of skill and resilience. Ghana opened the scoring early, exploiting the home crowd’s energy to press forward. Nigeria responded with two quick goals, but the Black Sharks, buoyed by a relentless attacking rhythm, reclaimed the lead before halftime. The third period turned into a goal‑fest, with Ghana netting four more times while Nigeria managed a solitary strike. The final whistle confirmed a 7-4 scoreline, a result that not only erased the first‑leg margin but also demonstrated Ghana’s depth in set‑piece execution and aerial control on the sand.

This qualification marks a significant milestone for Ghanaian beach soccer. Earlier in the campaign, the Black Sharks had recorded a 5-3 victory over Ivory Coast in the first leg of the 2024 qualifiers, also at Keta. That win laid the foundation for a confident approach to the subsequent rounds. The current triumph over Nigeria, a traditional powerhouse in African beach soccer, underscores Ghana’s evolution from a regional contender to a serious threat on the continental stage.

Coach Kwame Mensah praised his squad’s discipline and adaptability, noting that the team’s ability to maintain composure under pressure was pivotal. “We entered the match knowing Nigeria would be dangerous,