{
  "id": 11711413,
  "title": "Sand Eagles face Senegal in final test ahead of Ghana AFCON qualifier",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/sand-eagles-face-senegal-in-final-test-ahead-of-ghana-afcon-qualifier",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-03T15:34:47.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch",
    "slug": "punch",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/sand-eagles-face-senegal-in-final-test-ahead-of-ghana-afcon-qualifier/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Nigeria's Sand Eagles will participate in a two-legged friendly series against defending African champions Senegal as part of their preparations for the upcoming Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Ghana. Sand Eagles head coach Abdullahi Isa praised the friendly matches, stating they offer an important test for his team, which had been affected by match rust. Isa appreciated the invitation extended by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to Senegal and thanked Senegal's Football Federation for accepting the invitation. The first leg of the friendly matches will take place on Saturday, October 3, at Murtala Muhammed Square, Kaduna, from 5pm, with the second leg scheduled for Monday, October 5, from 9am. Senegal head coach Med Jean Sylla also welcomed the opportunity to face the Sand Eagles, describing the record African champions as quality opposition. Sylla noted that the matches would provide valuable preparation for his team ahead of their own continental assignment in the 2026 Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations, which Senegal will host.",
  "summary": "Nigeria’s Sand Eagles will play a two-legged friendly against Senegal in Kaduna to prepare for their Beach Soccer AFCON qualifying fixture against Ghana. Read More: https://punchng.com/sand-eagles-face-senegal-in-final-test-ahead-of-ghana-afcon-qualifier/",
  "key_points": [
    "Sand Eagles to play Senegal in two-legged friendly series",
    "First leg on October 3 at Murtala Muhammed Square, Kaduna",
    "Second leg on October 5 at 9am"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "Sand Eagles face Senegal in final test ahead of Ghana AFCON qualifier",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/sand-eagles-face-senegal-in-final-test-ahead-of-ghana-afcon-qualifier-11713804",
        "published": "2026-10-03T15:50:41.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}