Nigeria maintained their perfect run in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 qualifiers with a 3-1 victory over Uganda, while the latter faced a night of unprecedented challenges. The Super Eagles showcased their dominance in Group C, securing their third win and cementing their place as one of the tournament's frontrunners. Meanwhile, Uganda's campaign came to an end, marked by a series of unfortunate events, including a red card and the use of three different goalkeepers.
The match, held in Fes, saw Raphael Onyedika shine with two goals, while Paul Onuachu scored his first international goal in four years. Despite resting several key players, Nigeria displayed their strength and depth, having already secured their spot in the next round. Onuachu opened the scoring in the 28th minute, followed by Onyedika's brace in the second half, in the 62nd and 67th minutes, effectively sealing the victory for Nigeria. Rogers Mato managed to pull one back for Uganda with 15 minutes remaining, but it proved to be a mere consolation.
Uganda's match was marred by misfortune right from the start. Their first-choice goalkeeper, Denis Onyango, was forced off the pitch due to injury. Things took a turn for the worse when Salim Magoola, his replacement, received a straight red card, forcing Uganda to introduce their third goalkeeper, Nafian Alionzi. This unusual situation made Uganda the first team in AFCON history to use three goalkeepers in a single match.
Despite the difficult circumstances, Uganda's coach, Paul Put, expressed confidence in his team's mentality and commitment before the match. However, the series of setbacks proved too difficult to overcome against a strong Nigerian side.
Nigeria's performance in the group stage has been impressive, especially considering their failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. Their attacking prowess was evident throughout the group stage, leading the tournament in goals scored, shots on target, and average possession. With this win, Nigeria finished top of Group C with nine points.
In the other Group C match, Tanzania secured a 1-1 draw against Tunisia, earning them a spot in the last 16 as one of the four best third-placed teams. The draw meant that Tunisia finished second in the group with four points, while Tanzania finished third with two points.
The Super Eagles will now head into the knockout stages with high confidence, while Uganda will return home after a challenging and unforgettable tournament.
