Nigeria ended their Group C AFCON 2025 campaign with a stylish 3-1 win over Uganda, which saw them finish as group C winners and condemned Uganda to an early exit at the tournament.
Super Eagles boss Éric Chelle made four changes, but the quality of the team was not to be denied from the start as they easily controlled the game. Moses Simon and Samuel Chukwueze troubled the defense in the opening minutes, while Victor Osimhen was the spearhead of the attack with his usual high level of running and positioning.
The relentless Nigerian game paid off about halfway through the first period when Paul Onuachu was the fastest to react to Fisayo Dele-Bashiru’s pass and scored the opener. Uganda was at a loss for ways to stop Nigeria’s high tempo and did not have a single attempt on goal before the interval.
When, in the early second half, substitute goalkeeper Salim Magoola was red-carded for handling outside the box while denying Osimhen, it was the end of the Cranes’ chances at the tournament. Taking full advantage of their extra man, Chukwueze set up Onyedika to make it 2-0, and the same duo linked up for the third goal just a couple of minutes later.
Uganda scored a late goal through Rogers Mato, who scored a wonderful chip, but it was only a matter of minutes. Nigeria will be very confident of making a deep run in the knockout rounds, having topped the group stage with full points.
