Morocco 2025: Raphael Onyedinka scores twice as Nigeria thump Uganda 3-1 in last group game
After a dominant start in the match, Onuachu opened the scoring for Nigeria in the 28th minute.
Victor Olorunfemi • December 30, 2025
Raphael Onyedinka
Raphael Onyedinka [Credit: X.com]
Nigeria’s Super Eagles concluded the group stage of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations, winning all three matches, following an emphatic 3-1 victory over the 10-man Cranes of Uganda on Tuesday.
Having already qualified for the last 16 following the win over Tunisia on Saturday, Eric Chelle made several changes in the lineup, giving Ryan Alebiosu his debut for the Super Eagles while Raphael Onyedinka, who later became the hero of the night, featured for the first time in this tournament.
Francis Uzoho replaced Stanley Nwabali. Igoh Ogbu, Paul Onuachu, Moses Simon, and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru also made their first start for Nigeria in Morocco.
After a dominant start in the match, Onuachu opened the scoring for Nigeria in the 28th minute, sliding to meet a cut-through pass by Dele-Bashiru to put the Eagles ahead.
The goal came less than a minute after the forward failed to convert a one-on-one chance.
The Ugandans were reduced to 10 men in the 56th minute after goalkeeper Jamal Salim from outside his box handled a tipped effort from Victor Osimhen that was apparently going into an open net.
Onyedinka doubled Nigeria’s lead in the 63rd minute when he drove a pass from Samuel Chukwueze into the 18-yard box before firing into the net.
Four minutes later, Onyedinka got his brace of the encounter from a well-placed assist from Chukwueze.
Meanwhile, Uganda managed to pull one back 15 minutes from normal time through Rogers Mato, who only had to put a through pass from Allan Okello beside Uzoho to score a consolation for the Cranes.
The result meant both Uganda and Tanzania, which held Tunisia to a 1-1 draw in the second Group C match, are out of the tournament. Ismael Gharbi initially put Tunisia ahead from the penalty spot just before halftime.
However, Feisal Salum equalised for Tanzania three minutes into the second half.
