2025 AFCON: Onyedika Shines As Nigeria Thrash Uganda 3-1 To End Group Phase Perfect

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Raphael Onyedika scored twice as a much-changed Super Eagles of Nigeria thrashed 10-man Uganda 3-1 on Tuesday to end the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with a perfect record. &nbsp,

The Club Brugge midfielder netted in the 62nd and 67th minutes of the clash in Fes after Paul Onuachu gave Nigeria the lead 28 minutes into the game. &nbsp,

Supporters cheer before the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) Group C football match between Uganda and Nigeria at Fez Stadium in Fez on December 30, 2025. (Photo by Abdel Majid BZIOUAT / AFP)

With the win, the Super Eagles ended the group phase with nine points, having beaten Tanzania and Tunisia in their first and second matches, respectively.

Nigeria’s forward #19 Paul Onuachu celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with Nigeria’s midfielder #10 Fisayo Dele-Bashiru during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) Group C football match between Uganda and Nigeria at Fez Stadium in Fez on December 30, 2025. (Photo by Abdel Majid BZIOUAT / AFP)

Against the Cranes in Fes, Nigeria went ahead on 28 minutes through a well-constructed move that exploited space in the Ugandan defence.

A clever pass from Bruno Onyemaechi set up Fisayo Dele-Bashiru to deliver a low cross that Onuachu struck into the net despite being surrounded by three opponents.

Nigeria’s midfielder #18 Raphael Onyedika celebrates scoring his team’s third goal with Nigeria’s forward #09 Victor Osimhen and Nigeria’s midfielder #10 Fisayo Dele-Bashiru during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) Group C football match between Uganda and Nigeria at Fes Stadium in Fes on December 30, 2025. (Photo by Abdel Majid BZIOUAT / AFP)

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Uganda’s goalkeeper #19 Salim Magoola is shown the red card during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) Group C football match between Uganda and Nigeria at Fes Stadium in Fes on December 30, 2025. (Photo by Abdel Majid BZIOUAT / AFP)

Uganda suffered a huge blow on 56 minutes when goalkeeper Salim Magoola was red-carded for handling outside the area. Magoola had replaced 40-year-old captain Denis Onyango for the second half.

With a brace for Nigeria, Onyedika is the TotalEnergies Man of the Match. #TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 | @Football2Gether pic. twitter.com/LVBZVgu8Rv

Legason Alionz came on, the third goalkeeper used by Uganda, with the match less than an hour old. He was beaten twice within eight minutes by Raphael Onyedika as Nigeria surged to a three-goal lead.

Nigeria’s midfielder #18 Raphael Onyedika celebrates with teammates after the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) Group C football match between Uganda and Nigeria at Fes Stadium in Fes on December 30, 2025. (Photo by Abdel Majid BZIOUAT / AFP)

Onyedika twice found the bottom right corner with shots. On both occasions, Samuel Chukwueze, a loanee from AC Milan, scored the midfielder.

On December 30, 2025, Nigeria’s team poses at Fes Stadium’s Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) Group C football game between Uganda and Nigeria. (Photo by Abdel Majid BZIOUAT / AFP)

Who will Nigeria and Tanzania next meet?

In the other Group C game, Tanzania rose from a 1-1 deficit to reach the knockout stage of the Africa Cup of Nations, 45 years after their maiden appearance.

Feisal Salum scored the opening penalty in Tunisia just before half-time, and Ismael Gharbi converted it for Tunisia.

Tanzania have tried since 1980 to move past the group stage, but they have failed to do so in four matches. After drawing two draws and losing one game, they were still in the draw.