President of the African Beach Soccer Union, Mahmud Hadejia, believes Nigeria’s decision to test the Sand Eagles against African champions Senegal was exactly the preparation required ahead of their crucial Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Ghana.

Nigeria suffered a 6-4 defeat in the opening friendly at the Murtala Muhammed Square Beach Soccer Arena in Kaduna, but Hadejia insists the result was secondary to exposing the team to the intensity they should expect when the competitive battle with Ghana begins.

The Sand Eagles are rebuilding after spending two years without competitive international action, making the Senegal double-header an important opportunity to assess their readiness against the continent’s benchmark team.

According to Hadejia, Senegal were deliberately chosen because their quality, physical approach and beach soccer pedigree provide Nigeria with the kind of examination needed before facing Ghana’s Black Sharks.

Senegal are the defending African champions and have established themselves as the dominant force in African beach soccer, making the friendlies a demanding test rather than an exercise designed simply to produce comfortable victories.

Sand Eagles head coach Abdullahi Isa shared that assessment, describing Senegal as quality opposition capable of helping his players shake off match rust before the qualifiers.

Nigeria will host Ghana in the first leg in Kaduna on October 10, before travelling to Accra for the decisive return fixture. The winner over the two legs will qualify for the 2026 Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations in Senegal.

The assignment carries added importance after Nigeria narrowly missed the previous continental championship, losing to Mauritania on the away-goals rule during qualification in 2024.

For Hadejia, therefore, playing Senegal was about discovering weaknesses before Ghana gets the opportunity to exploit them.

The 6-4 scoreline may have gone Senegal’s way, but the real value of the friendly will be measured against Ghana — when lessons learned against Africa’s champions must translate into an AFCON ticket.

Seven-Up Bottling Company Ltd. (SBC), in collaboration with the Apapa-Iganmu Local Council Development Area (LCDA), has unveiled the rehabilitated Sari-Iganmu Primary Health Centre, following a comprehensive rehabilitation project undertaken by SBC to improve healthcare delivery and community wellbeing.

The facility now features a renovated maternity ward, a newly constructed and equipped laboratory, and solar power infrastructure, providing a safer, more functional, and better-equipped environment for healthcare workers and patients.

The event brought together Seven-Up Bottling Company Managing Director & CEO, Sari El-Khalil; HRM Oba Abdulfatai Oyeyinka Aremu Aromire II, the Ojora of Ijora and Iganmu Kingdom; Executive Chairman of Apapa-Iganmu LCDA, Hon. Jimoh Olawale Saliu; Chairman, House Committeeon Health, Hon. Lawal Aina Musbau; alongside government officials, community leaders, healthcare professionals and other stakeholders.

Apapa-Iganmu holds a special place in Seven-Up Bottling Company’s history, as the company rolled out its first bottle of 7UP from the community in 1960.

More than six decades later, Seven-Up Bottling Company continues to invest in the community that has been part of its story from the beginning.

The intervention aligns with SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being, reflecting SBC’s continued commitment to healthcare, community development and creating meaningful, lasting impact.

Investing in health. Strengthening communities. Creating lasting impact.

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