Nigeria’s Super Eagles completed a flawless group stage at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with a convincing 3-1 win against Uganda at the Complexe Sportif de Fès in Morocco on December 30, 2025.
Paul Onuachu opened the scoring in the 28th minute, heading in a precise cross from Fisayo Dele-Bashiru to give the already-qualified Nigerians the lead. Uganda, needing a victory to keep their slim knockout hopes alive, showed moments of resilience but were hampered by a pivotal second-half incident.
In the 56th minute, substitute goalkeeper Salim Magoola received a straight red card for handling the ball outside the penalty area while denying a goal-scoring opportunity to Victor Osimhen. This left the Cranes with 10 men and forced them to introduce third-choice keeper Nafian Alionzi, marking an unusual situation where Uganda utilised all three registered goalkeepers in a single match starting with veteran Denis Onyango, who was substituted at half-time due to injury concerns.
Raphael Onyedika capitalised on the numerical advantage, scoring twice in quick succession: first in the 62nd minute and again in the 67th, both assisted by Samuel Chukwueze. Rogers Mato pulled one back for Uganda in the 75th minute with a well-taken finish, but it proved only a consolation.
The result secured Nigeria’s position as Group C winners with nine points from three matches, following earlier victories a 2-1 win over Tanzania and a 3-2 thriller against Tunisia. According to reports from CAF and major outlets like BBC Sport and The Guardian, this marks only the second time Nigeria have achieved a 100 per cent record in the AFCON group stage.
Meanwhile, a simultaneous 1-1 draw between Tunisia and Tanzania in Rabat confirmed Tunisia as group runners-up with four points, advancing them to the round of 16. Uganda finished with just one point, extending their winless streak at the AFCON finals to six games since 2019, while Tanzania also exited with two points.
This tournament, the 35th edition hosted by Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, features 24 teams in an expanded format where the top two from each group plus the four best third-placed sides progress to the knockouts. Nigeria, three-time champions and runners-up in the previous edition, now await a round-of-16 opponent likely a third-placed team from another group as they build momentum under coach Eric Chelle.
The Super Eagles’ rotated squad demonstrated depth, with standouts like Onyedika earning praise for his brace. As noted in post-match analysis by The Athletic, Nigeria’s dominant performance, aided by Uganda’s red card, underscored their status as one of the favourites alongside hosts Morocco, Senegal, and Algeria.
With the group stage concluded for Group C, attention turns to the knockout phase, where Nigeria aim to go further than their final appearance in 2023. Their perfect record provides a strong foundation, highlighting improved attacking fluency and resilience despite recent international setbacks, including missing the 2026 World Cup.
For Ugandan football, the early exit serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by smaller nations in Africa’s premier competition, despite flashes of promise from players like Mato. The Cranes’ campaign ends without a win, but their effort against a superior side with 10 men earned respect in defeat.
