Football: Nigeria power into AFCON 2025 last-16 after 3-1 victory over Uganda in Fez
by Devesh Jaganath | by Devesh Jaganath
Chelle makes wholesale changes in bizarre match against the Cranes
Nigeria ended the group stage at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with a commanding 3-1 victory against Uganda, securing top spot in Group C, in a match that produced several unusual moments for the Cranes.
Having already secured their place in the last 16 of the competition after beating Tunisia on Matchday 2 in the group, Eric Chelle rang the changes for this match, bringing the likes of Paul Onuachu, Moses Simon and Francis Uzoho into the starting lineup, while Victor Osimhen donned the captain’s armband.
Onuachu got the Super Eagles up and running by opening the scoring inside the first half hour before Club Brugge midfielder Raphael Onyedika bagged a brace in the space of five second-half minutes to take his side out of sight and confirm our AFCON 2025 predictions.
In a bizarre sequence of events, Uganda’s veteran goalkeeper Denis Onyango suffered an ankle injury in the first half after making a save. He soldiered on until the half-time break, but could not continue and was replaced by Salim Jamal Magoola at the interval.
However, Magoola only lasted 11 minutes on the pitch before being shown a red card for a reckless challenge, adding to his horror campaign in Morocco, which included being dropped from the starting lineup after shipping three goals against Tunisia in the team’s tournament opener.
Third-choice shot-stopper Nafian Alionzi ended the match between the sticks for Uganda, who managed to pull a goal back through Rogers Mato in the 75th minute, but it proved no more than a consolation as Paul Put’s side exited the tournament bottom of the group with one point.
The result marked the third time that the Super Eagles ended the group stage at the Africa Cup of Nations with a perfect record, having done so in 1992, 2006 and 2022. Nigeria will remain in Fez and will take on the third-placed team from Group F in the last 16 on Monday, January 5.
Tunisia and Tanzania follow Nigeria into last 16 after stalemate in Rabat
In the other match in Group C, Tunisia and Tanzania played to a 1-1 draw at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. The result meant that the Carthage Eagles finished second in the group standings with four points and will face Mali in the last 16.
For the Taifa Stars, the draw proved decisive as it allowed them to progress as one of the best third-placed teams owing to a better goal difference than Angola. This is the first time that Tanzania have reached the knockout stage of the AFCON, 45 years on since making their debut.
Miguel Gamondi’s side have still never won a match in their four appearances at the Africa Cup of Nations, and they face a huge task to progress any further, as they will take on host nation and tournament favourites Morocco in Rabat on January 4.
