Nigeria’s Sand Eagles put up a spirited performance but fell 6–4 to African champions Senegal in the first of two international beach soccer friendlies in Kaduna on Saturday.

Played at the Murtala Muhammed Square Beach Soccer Pitch, the entertaining encounter saw Senegal take an early lead through Laye Diagne, before Abdullahi Hassan quickly restored parity for Nigeria.

Hassan was Nigeria’s standout performer, scoring all four of the Sand Eagles’ goals and earning the Man-of-the-Match award.

Senegal’s other goals came from Mamadou Sylla, who completed a hat-trick, as well as Ninou Jean-Paul Diatta and Asane Ba.

The two sides will meet again at the same venue on Monday morning.

The friendlies form part of Nigeria’s preparations for their CAF Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations qualifying tie against Ghana later this month, while hosts Senegal are using the matches to fine-tune their squad ahead of the continental tournament.