NewsNigeriaSoccerSportsAFCON 2025: Super Eagles Finish Group C With 3-1 Win Over Uganda

The Super Eagles of Nigeria sealed a commanding 3-1 victory over Uganda in their final Group C game of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) at the Stade de Fès in Morocco on Tuesday night.

Nigeria’s performance was marked by clinical finishing and tactical discipline as they overcame a spirited Uganda side that ended the game with ten men following a second-half red card.

The Super Eagles drew first blood in the 28th minute when striker Paul Onuachu netted his first international goal in nearly four years. Meeting a low cross from Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Onuachu calmly finished from close range to give Nigeria the lead at half-time.

The match turned decisively in Nigeria’s favour shortly after the interval when Uganda substitute goalkeeper Salim Magoola was shown a straight red card for handling the ball outside the penalty area to deny a clear goal-scoring chance.

With the numerical advantage, midfielder Raphael Onyedika stole the spotlight. In the 62nd minute, he slotted home a precise Samuel Chukwueze pass, and just five minutes later added a second, finishing another well-crafted move to make it 3-0.

Uganda, undeterred by the odds, pulled a goal back in the 75th minute through substitute Rogers Mato. Taking advantage of a momentary lapse in Nigeria’s defence, Mato calmly chipped the ball over goalkeeper Francis Uzoho to give the East African side a late consolation.

Despite the goal, Uganda’s hopes of progressing were already extinguished, and the result confirmed their exit from AFCON 2025 at the group stage.

With this result, Nigeria finished top of Group C with nine points, maintaining a 100 per cent record. Tunisia followed with four points, while Tanzania advanced as one of the four best third-placed teams after a 1-1 draw with Tunisia in the other group fixture. Uganda ended bottom of the group with one point and left the tournament at the conclusion of the group stage.

The Super Eagles now look ahead to the round of 16, where they will face one of the qualified third-placed teams on 6 January 2026.