{
  "id": 13676150,
  "title": "Referee admits error in Nigeria-Ghana Beach Soccer AFCON qualifier stalemate",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/referee-admits-error-in-nigeria-ghana-beach-soccer-afcon-qualifier",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-11T06:29:22.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Trust",
    "slug": "daily-trust",
    "url": "https://dailytrust.com/referee-admits-error-in-nigeria-ghana-beach-soccer-afcon-qualifier-stalemate/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Driss Lamghaidar, the centre referee, and his officiating crew have acknowledged a mistake during the Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations' first leg qualifying match between Nigeria and Ghana. The Moroccan official admitted to making an error by requesting both teams to play extra-time and penalties in the first leg encounter. As a result, the 3-3 scoreline after regular time will be maintained until the second leg of the qualifier in Ghana. Nigeria scored their goals through Isa Hamza Manga, who scored a hat-trick, while Ghana scored via Mawuli Sosu (brace) and Wise Nyamadi.\n\nFollowing the match, the NFF convened a meeting with the officials on Saturday night, during which Lamghaidar admitted to his error in extending the game to extra time and subsequent penalties, as it was only a first-leg affair. The second leg and deciding match is scheduled for Sunday, 18th October in Keta, Ghana. The NFF disclosed this information in a press statement.\n\nThe Super Sand Eagles last competed in the beach soccer AFCON in 2018, having missed the last three tournaments. This includes the 2022 edition where the team withdrew due to a lack of funds and administrative issues. Nigeria holds a two-time victory record in the beach soccer AFCON era, having been runners-up twice - in 2016 and 2018 - since CAF rebranded the competition in 2015.",
  "summary": "Centre referee Driss Lamghaidar and his officiating team have admitted their role in the shocking finale to the Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations first leg qualifying match between Nigeria and Ghana. According to the NFF, the Moroccan official has admitted he erred for requesting both teams to play extra-time and penalties in the first […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}