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Nigeria make it three wins from three at AFCON 2025

football30 December 2025 20:00| © Backpage TXT
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Raphael Onyedika © Backpage Pix

Nigeria maintained their 100 per cent record in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after beating 10-man Uganda 3-1 at the Fez Stadium on Tuesday, December 30 to progress as Group C winners.

Eric Chelle's side took a one-goal lead into the break courtesy of Paul Onuachu's 28th-minute opener and they cruised to victory in the end after Salim Magoola was shown a straight red card early in the second half.

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Raphael Onyedika scored twice in the space of just four minutes after Magoola's sending-off, although Rogers Mato managed to reduce the deficit 15 minutes from time.

Nigeria enjoyed the lion's share of the possession in the first half, but they didn't really use the ball effectively enough and managed just two shots at goal.

Uganda actually created the first chance on 13 minutes when Rogers Mato got on the end of a cross to steer a header just wide of the right post.

It took 28 minutes for the Super Eagles to threaten the opposition goal as Victor Osimhen made his way into the box before cutting the ball back for Onuachu, who forced Denis Onyango into a fine save with his firm strike.

However, they hit the front just moments later as Fisayo Dele-Bashiru raced into the 18-yard area and played a neat pass to Onuachu after Onyango came rushing off his line, giving the Trabzonspor striker the simple task of slotting the ball into an open net.

The West African giants offered no further threat for the remainder of the half despite Onyango appearing to struggle with an injury, although he stayed on the pitch until halftime.

---- NIGERIA ONLY ----

Nigeria looked far more dangerous in the second half, although their efforts were aided by Magoola, who received a straight red card on 57 minutes after handling outside his area when Osimhen dinked the ball over his head.

Chidozie Awaziem had gone close seven minutes earlier after directing the ball narrowly wide of the left post from close range.

But the Super Eagles took immediate advantage of the extra man as Samuel Chukwueze found Onyedika in space inside the box and the Club Brugge midfielder tucked his shot between the legs of Nafian Alionzi.

Uganda's third-choice goalkeeper was called into action just moments later to deny Osimhen, who received a pass inside the area and fired a low shot towards goal.

Alionzi was beaten again soon afterwards though, when Chukwueze combined with Onyedika once more on 67 minutes and the 24-year-old finished calmly to register his second goal of the game.

There would be no clean sheet for Nigeria, however, as Mato pulled one back for the Cranes on 75 minutes with a fine finish over Francis Uzoho's head after Allan Okello released the Vardar Skopje striker through on goal.

Uganda (0) 1 (Mato 75')

Nigeria (1) 3 (Onuachu 28', Onyedika 63', 67')

Uganda: D. Onyango (S. Magoola 46'), K. Semakula, T. Sibbick, J. Obita, A. Kayondo, B. Byaruhanga, T. Mutyaba (A. Okello 46'), B. Alhassan (N. Alionzi 59'), D. Omedi (S. Mukwala 46'), U. Ikpeazu (J. Ssemugabi 85'), R. Mato.

Nigeria: F. Uzoho, R. Alebiosu, I. Ogbu, C. Bassey (C. Awaziem 46'), B. Onyemaechi (Z. Sanusi 77'), F. Dele-Bashiru, R. Onyedika, S. Chukwueze (S. Nwabali 90+3'), P. Onuachu (T. Nnadi 77'), V. Osimhen (A. Adams 87'), M. Simon.

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