Nigeria seal perfect AFCON group stage with Uganda win
Nigeria completed a flawless group-stage campaign at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with a commanding 3–1 victory over Uganda in Fez, finishing as Group C winners with a perfect nine points from three matches. The Super Eagles dominated proceedings from the opening exchanges, pressing high and exploiting the flanks through the pace and creativity […]
Super Eagles midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is closed down by two Uganda players during yesterday’s match.
Nigeria completed a flawless group-stage campaign at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with a commanding 3–1 victory over Uganda in Fez, finishing as Group C winners with a perfect nine points from three matches.
The Super Eagles dominated proceedings from the opening exchanges, pressing high and exploiting the flanks through the pace and creativity of Samuel Chukwueze and Moses Simon. Uganda showed early intent, but Nigeria’s superior quality soon told, with chances beginning to fall their way inside the first 15 minutes.
Nigeria’s breakthrough arrived in the 28th minute. After missing a point-blank header moments earlier, Paul Onuachu made amends by poking home Fisayo Dele-Bashiru’s low cross following a slick team move to put the Super Eagles ahead. Uganda goalkeeper Denis Onyango, who struggled with an ankle injury throughout the half, could do little to prevent the opener.
Nigeria continued to control the game before the break, with Victor Osimhen and Dele-Bashiru causing constant problems, and went into half-time leading 1–0. As results stood elsewhere, Uganda were already staring at elimination.
The match swung decisively in Nigeria’s favour early in the second half when Uganda were reduced to 10 men. Stand-in goalkeeper Salim Magoola was shown a straight red card in the 58th minute for handling the ball outside the penalty area to deny Osimhen a clear goalscoring opportunity. With a midfielder sacrificed to bring on a third-choice goalkeeper, Uganda’s resistance weakened further.
Nigeria quickly capitalised on their numerical advantage. In the 62nd minute, Chukwueze squared a precise pass for Raphael Onyedika, who took a sublime first touch before calmly slotting the ball through the goalkeeper’s legs to make it 2–0. Five minutes later, Onyedika struck again, latching onto another Chukwueze cutback and firing into the bottom corner from the edge of the area to effectively seal the contest.
Despite being a man down, Uganda showed resilience and pulled a goal back in the 75th minute. Substitute Okello teed up Rogers Mato, who chipped the ball neatly over Francis Uzoho to give the Ugandan fans something to cheer.
Nigeria, however, remained in control during the closing stages, managing the game professionally and making several substitutions, including the withdrawal of Osimhen, who captained the side in the absence of Wilfred Ndidi.
The final whistle confirmed a 3–1 win for Nigeria, who advance to the round of 16 as Group C toppers with three wins from three games.
Tunisia finished second in the group with four points from one win, one draw and one defeat, while Tanzania placed third on two points and also progressed as one of the four best third-placed teams. Uganda finish bottom of the group and exit the tournament.