Former Super Sand Eagles captain Isiaka Olawale has expressed disappointment over Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations, calling for improved preparations to prevent a repeat of the setback.

Nigeria’s qualification hopes ended on Sunday after Ghana’s Black Sharks secured a convincing 7-4 victory at the Emancipation Beach Soccer Arena in Keta, completing a 10-7 aggregate triumph over their West African rivals.

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The teams had played out a 3-3 draw in the opening leg in Kaduna, leaving the qualification contest evenly balanced before the decisive encounter in Ghana.

Reacting to the elimination, Olawale said he had anticipated a difficult return fixture, particularly with Ghana enjoying home advantage and the backing of their supporters.

The former captain noted that the Black Sharks had already demonstrated their quality during the first leg, making it essential for Nigeria to approach the return encounter with adequate preparation.

He expressed sadness that the Sand Eagles could not overcome the challenge, despite the opportunity to revive Nigeria’s presence at the continental championship.

Olawale stressed that lessons must be drawn from the unsuccessful campaign, urging those responsible for the national team to put better arrangements in place ahead of future competitions.

Ghana’s victory secured their place at the Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations scheduled for November 7–15 in Senegal, while Nigeria will miss the continental finals.
The elimination represents another setback for Nigeria’s efforts to rebuild its beach soccer programme after a period of limited international participation.

For Olawale, the immediate priority is to address the shortcomings exposed by the two-legged contest, particularly the need for stronger preparations and sustained competitive activity.

With Ghana advancing to Senegal 2026, the Sand Eagles must now turn their attention to rebuilding a more competitive team capable of challenging for future continental qualification.

Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) newcomers Ranchers Bees have appointed Ma’aji Muhammad as their new head coach for the remainder of the 2026/2027 season, following the departure of Technical Adviser Usman Abd’Allah by mutual consent.

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Sports247 reports that the appointment comes after the Kaduna-based club suffered a disappointing 3-1 defeat to Shooting Stars in their Matchday 9 encounter in Ibadan on Friday, October 16, 2026.

Muhammad now takes charge of a Ranchers Bees side seeking to rediscover its form and improve its position in the league following a difficult start to the campaign.

The decision to appoint Muhammad represents a new chapter for the newly promoted side as they attempt to establish themselves in Nigeria’s top flight.

Ranchers Bees have struggled for consistency in their opening nine league matches, recording just two victories, two draws and five defeats. The club’s latest setback came against Shooting Stars, where goals from Desmond Ojietefian, Damilola Akinola and Qamar Adegoke condemned the Kaduna outfit to a 3-1 defeat.

Although Isah Ndala Aliyu scored for Ranchers Bees and goalkeeper Tofa saved a second-half penalty, their efforts were insufficient to prevent another defeat.

The result increased the pressure on the club’s technical crew and ultimately preceded Abd’Allah’s departure.

Abd’Allah’s tenure came to an end after just 115 days in charge. The club confirmed his departure alongside some members of the technical crew in an official statement.

“Ranchers Bees Kaduna confirms that the club has parted ways with Technical Adviser Usman Abdullah and some members of the technical crew by mutual agreement,” the statement read.

During his nine NPFL matches in charge, Abd’Allah recorded two wins, two draws and five defeats, collecting eight points from a possible 27. His departure leaves Muhammad with the responsibility of addressing the team’s inconsistent results and restoring confidence within the squad.

For Ma’aji Muhammad, the appointment presents an opportunity to guide Ranchers Bees through a crucial period of their return to top-flight football.

The new head coach will be expected to improve the team’s performances, strengthen defensive organisation and help the players convert competitive displays into positive results.

Having collected eight points from their opening nine fixtures, Ranchers Bees need greater consistency to avoid becoming embroiled in a prolonged struggle near the lower end of the table.

Muhammad will also face the challenge of motivating a squad that has endured a difficult sequence of results.

The coaching change underlines the club’s determination to improve its fortunes before the season progresses further.

With Muhammad appointed for the remainder of the campaign, attention will now turn to how quickly he can implement his ideas and produce a positive response from the players.

The coming fixtures will provide an early indication of whether the managerial change can deliver the improvement Ranchers Bees require.

For the newly promoted Kaduna club, the message is clear: Ma’aji Muhammad has been handed the responsibility of turning around a difficult start and helping Ranchers Bees secure their place in the Nigeria Premier Football League.