Raphael Onyedika scored a brace as an experimental Super Eagles side soared past Uganda 3-1 to hit the Round of 16 of the 2025 AFCON with a perfect record of three wins in as many matches.
🚨🇳🇬 GOAL! Onyedika’s first goal for Nigeria against Uganda. Wonderful finish 🔥
— Per Second News (@persecondnewsng) December 30, 2025
Amazing run from outside the box and a clinical finish…#AFCON2025 #TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 pic.twitter.com/CyUJw6vDrG
Nigeria won Group C with nine points from three matches, while Tunisia finished runners-up with four points after they were forced to a 1-1 draw by Tanzania in the other group game.
Tanzania thus finished on two points, a point ahead of bottom team Uganda.
Coach Eric Chelle rested his main team for this final group game in Fes as he made as many as eight changes from the Starting XI against Tunisia at the weekend with only stand-in captain Victor Osimhen, Bruno Onyemaechi and Calvin Bassey the survivors.
Paul Onuachu put Nigeria ahead on 28 minutes, when he prodded home a pass into the box by Fisayo Dele-Bashiru.
The Cranes of Uganda were reduced to 10 men, when substitute goalkeeper Jamal Salim was sent off in the 55th minute, when he handled Osimhen’s shot at goal from outside his box.
Midfielder Onyedika then doubled the advantage in the 62nd minute, when he was set up by Samuel Chukwueze and five minutes later both players again combined for the Club Brugge star to complete his brace.
In the 75th minute, Mato pulled a goal back for 10-man Uganda after he was set up by Okello.
Super Eagles Starting XI vs Uganda – Uzoho – Onyemaechi (Zaidu 76), Alebiosu, Bassey (Awaziem 46), Ogbu – Onyedika, Dele-Bashiru, Moses Simon, Samuel Chukwueze (Fago Lawal 90) – Onuachu (Nnadi 76), Osimhen (Captain) (Akor 87)
