Nigeria Completes Perfect Group Stage at Afcon 2025
Nigeria concluded the group stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) with a perfect record, defeating a struggling Uganda team that was reduced to ten men and had to utilize all three goalkeepers in their squad.
Having already secured the top position in Group C, Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle made significant changes, rotating eight starters from the previous victory against Tunisia, with Victor Osimhen serving as captain.
The first half was relatively balanced, but Nigeria took the lead in the 28th minute through Paul Onuachu. An injury to Uganda's goalkeeper Denis Onyango proved pivotal, as he struggled through to half-time before being replaced by Salim Magoola, who received a straight red card just 11 minutes later for handling the ball outside his area.
Third-choice goalkeeper Nafian Alionzi conceded a goal six minutes after coming on, with Raphael Onyedika scoring. Onyedika then added another goal five minutes later from inside the box.
Uganda managed to score a consolation goal in the 75th minute when Allan Okello found Rogers Mato, who skillfully chipped the ball over the advancing Francis Uzoho.
Nigeria will remain in Fes to face the third-placed team from Group F—either Mozambique, Cameroon, or Ivory Coast—on Monday at 19:00 GMT. Meanwhile, Uganda exits the tournament, extending their winless streak at Afcon to six matches since 2019.
A Disheartening Exit for Onyango
This match marked only the second encounter between the two nations at Afcon, with Uganda previously emerging victorious in the 1978 semi-finals. The Cranes entered the match knowing that only a win would secure their advancement to the knockout stage.
While Chelle rested key players like Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, and Ademola Lookman after their recent win against Tunisia, Cranes coach Paul Put started Uche Ikpeazu, who scored the equalizer against Tanzania, and winger Denis Omedi.
Onuachu broke the deadlock, having previously missed a golden opportunity that Onyango saved. However, the Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper soon found himself in trouble, twisting his ankle on the uneven surface and requiring treatment multiple times before being substituted at half-time.
The situation worsened for Uganda after Magoola's red card, leaving them unable to mount a comeback. A second goal for Nigeria seemed inevitable, arriving when Fulham's Samuel Chukwueze set up Onyedika for a low finish through Alionzi's legs, epitomizing Uganda's goalkeeping troubles.
Onyedika added Nigeria's third goal in the 67th minute, following another impressive play by Chukwueze. Despite the convincing victory, Chelle expressed disappointment over the late lapse that allowed Mato to score, denying Nigeria a clean sheet.
Nonetheless, this victory positions the Super Eagles as the first team to win all three group matches in Afcon 2025, showcasing the squad's depth. For Uganda, particularly for the esteemed Onyango, this was a disappointing way to exit the tournament.