Nigeria solidified their dominance at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations by securing a third consecutive victory in a spirited 3-1 encounter against Uganda at the Stade de Fez on Monday. The Super Eagles initiated the scoring in the 28th minute when Paul Onuachu converted a precise delivery from Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, successfully rebounding after Uganda’s veteran goalkeeper Denis Onyango blocked the initial effort.
Although the Cranes demonstrated early attacking intent, they struggled to bypass a disciplined Nigerian defense before the halftime whistle.
The tactical balance of the match shifted dramatically in the 56th minute after the match officials dismissed substitute goalkeeper Salim Magoola. Magoola received a straight red card for handling the ball outside the penalty area to thwart a certain goal-scoring chance, forcing the East African side to play the remainder of the match with ten men.
Nigeria immediately exploited the extra space, as Raphael Onyedika found the net twice within a five-minute window. Onyedika’s goals in the 62nd and 67th minutes both originated from Samuel Chukwueze’s creative playmaking, effectively ending any hopes of a Ugandan comeback.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, Rogers Mato provided a moment of brilliance for the Cranes in the 75th minute. Mato executed a sophisticated chip over Francis Uzoho to reduce the deficit, though the goal served only as a consolation in a match otherwise controlled by the three-time champions. Both managers utilized their benches late in the game, with Nigeria introducing Zaidu Sanusi, Tochukwu Nnadi, and Akor Adams to see out the result, while Uganda brought on Jude Ssemugabi to maintain their structure.
This latest triumph ensures Nigeria remains at the summit of the group standings with a flawless nine-point total heading into the knockout phase. In the group’s other fixture held in Rabat, Tunisia and Tanzania ended their match in a 1-1 stalemate, a result that leaves the final ranking behind Nigeria highly competitive. While the Super Eagles prepare for the Round of 16, Uganda must now await other results to determine their fate in the tournament after showing significant grit under difficult circumstances.
About the Author
