Super Eagles midfielder Raphael Onyedika dominated the headlines on Tuesday evening after securing the Man of the Match award following Nigeria’s authoritative 3-1 win against the Cranes of Uganda. The 24-year-old made his first-ever appearance in the Africa Cup of Nations during the final Group C encounter at the Stade Foot de Fès, rewarding head coach Éric Chelle’s tactical trust with a clinical offensive display.
Onyedika took full advantage of a 10-man Ugandan side in the second half, netting two superb goals within a five-minute window to effectively end the contest.
The Club Brugge standout displayed exceptional composure and vision throughout the 90 minutes, establishing a highly effective engine-room partnership with Fisayo Dele-Bashiru. His inclusion in the starting lineup served as one of eight rotations made by Chelle, yet the midfielder ensured the team maintained its rhythm and defensive structure. Prior to this match, Onyedika had only registered a single goal for the three-time African champions, a strike that occurred during a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against the Benin Republic in March 2024.
Onyedika has now earned 19 caps for the Super Eagles since making his international debut in September 2022. His performance against Uganda not only highlights his growing importance to the national team but also places him in strong contention for a starting role in the Round of 16. Nigeria finished the group stage with a perfect record of nine points, and Onyedika’s ability to control the tempo of the game proved instrumental in the Super Eagles’ latest success on Moroccan soil.
The victory also marks a significant milestone for Onyedika, as his quick-fire double effectively killed any hopes of a Ugandan comeback after Paul Onuachu’s first-half opener. As the Super Eagles prepare for the knockout phase, the technical crew views Onyedika’s emergence as a vital asset for the challenges ahead. Supporters and analysts alike have praised the midfielder’s professional conduct and high work rate, which allowed Nigeria to navigate a potentially tricky fixture with remarkable ease.
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