AFCON 2025 | Result
Results
| Team | 1st Half | 2nd Half | Goals | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uganda | 0 | 1 | 1 | Loss |
| Nigeria | 1 | 2 | 3 | Win |
Nigeria secured a well-deserved 3-1 victory against Uganda in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations encounter at Complexe Sportif de Fes on Tuesday.
Victor Osimhen nearly had an early bite on the cherry as he made a good run into the area but his effort was dealt with by goalkeeper Denis Onyango within five minutes.
In the 13th minute, Rogers Mato limped highest but his header went slightly wide of the target.
Goalkeeper Onyango made a big save in the 27th minute, denying Samuel Chukweze from close range.
A minute later, Paul Onuachu broke the deadlock, tapping into an empty net. Fisayo Dele Bashiru drilled a sweet ball past Onyango into the area, and the lanky forward finished it off.
In the 56th minute, Uganda were reduced to ten men after center referee, Djindo Louis Houngnandande, sent off Salim Magoola for holding the ball outside the area.
Rapheal Onyedika doubled Nigeria’s lead in the 62nd minute. The midfielder created space in the channel after being set up by Chukweze before firing the ball through goalkeeper Nafian Alionzi’s legs.
Five minutes later, Onyedika completed a brace as his effort went through a forest of legs into the back of the net, leaving Uganda’s backline helpless.
Rogers Mato pulled back one for Uganda in the 75th minute after being teed up by Allan Okello.
The victory keeps Nigeria on top of the group with nine points collected in three games, while Uganda conclude their campaign with a point.
Group C Final Standings
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | Pts | Next |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Nigeria | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 9 | - |
| 2 |  Tunisia | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 4 | - |
| 3 |  Tanzania | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 | -1 | 2 | - |
| 4 |  Uganda | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 7 | -4 | 1 | - |
The players went on strike and missed training before a crucial game for issues they could have resolved before arriving in Morocco. Then ended up at the bottom of the table throughout the tournament.
Result? Three games and out. One of the biggest advantages of qualifying for a big tournament is being able to train together longer than the usual FIFA windows. The players’ strike undermined that opportunity and It showed that they were not focused on the mission, just their bank accounts.
Well, they showed up, put in a little bit of sweat and will now collect their bonuses and go home early. This is not the mindset of winners, but of losers. Against Tunisia, onlookers wondered how they had even qualified for AFCON. They were that bad.
So no surprise, they were dead last throughout and sent home early.
Losers Kabisa!
FUFA needs to be transparent with the players then develop youth players of strong character and supplement them with the right foreign based players. .
Also, one wonders, whether Sam Simbwa’s presence in Morocco would have made a difference? Nothing against the new assistant, but you never want to change the coaching crew that qualified, just before the major tournament.
Nigerians learned that the hard way years ago. There are exceptions like Cameroon who thrive on chaos. Uganda is not one them.
FUFA should also hold a root cause analysis investigation, look in the mirror and learn from this episode, because it all starts and ends with them. Otherwise, they will keep making the same mistakes.
Couldn’t have said it better
.