Uganda 1-3 Nigeria: Onyedika double ensures perfect record

Raphael Onyedika scored twice as Nigeria cruised to a 3-1 victory over 10-man Uganda to finish the Africa Cup of Nations group stage with a 100% record.

Paul Onuachu got the ball rolling for the Super Eagles in the 28th minute, but after Salim Magoola’s 56th-minute sending-off, they found their rhythm.

Uganda started brightly without hitting the target before their starting goalkeeper, Denis Onyango, made a stunning point-blank save to keep out Onuachu at the other end.

Just moments later, the forward broke the deadlock, stretching out to reach Fisayo Dele-Bashiru’s low centre on the edge of the six-yard box.

Onyango was then forced off at the break due to an injury, and Magoola only lasted 11 minutes after his introduction. He rushed out of his box to close down Victor Osimhen and handled the Nigeria captain’s long-range shot, resulting in a straight red card.

Onyedika then came to the fore, slotting his first past Nafian Alionzi, Uganda’s third-choice goalkeeper, from a tight angle on the right side of the box after latching onto Samuel Chukwueze’s pass 62 minutes in.

He then made sure of the three points after being left unmarked near the penalty spot, guiding Chukwueze’s cutback through the crowded box and into the net five minutes later.

Uganda got a consolation in the 75th minute, with Rogers Mato lifting a lovely finish over Francis Uzoho at the other end, but it was too little, too late for them.

Perfect ending to the group stage!

UGA 1-3 NGA#UGANGA #Naija4TheWin #AFCON2025 pic.twitter.com/hymCS0BHAi

— Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) December 30, 2025

Nigeria are through as Group C winners, with Tunisia joining them in the knockout stage after a 1-1 draw with Tanzania in their final match.

Data Debrief: Super Eagles soar into knockout stages

Nigeria are the first team in this year’s AFCON to win all three of their group games, showing the threat they will pose heading into the last 16.

They dominated in front of goal, registering 2.46 expected goals (xG) from their 13 shots (six on target), while Uganda accumulated just 0.76 xG from nine shots, with their only shot on target hitting the net.

Nigeria have now won their final group game in 10 of the last 11 AFCON appearances, with the exception being in 2019 (2-0 loss to Madagascar).