Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme, Acting General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation, has voiced confidence that the Sand Eagles will progress through their Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations qualifying tie against Ghana and reach the 2026 edition of the continental tournament.

The two sides shared a 3-3 draw in the first leg, played in Kaduna on Saturday, setting up a tightly contested return fixture. Ikpeme acknowledged that Nigeria's long spell away from international beach soccer had disrupted the team's competitive sharpness, yet he remained upbeat about their chances of making it through.