The Super Eagles of Nigeria produced one of their most convincing performances in recent years on Tuesday night in Fez, Morocco, dismantling Uganda’s Red Devils 3–1 to finish top of Group C at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

 

A revitalised, “born-again” Nigerian side showed depth, confidence and attacking flair as coach-led substitutions paid immediate dividends, with Raphael Onyedika emerging as the hero of the night by scoring twice.

 

Nigeria opened the scoring in the 28th minute through the towering Paul Onuachu. Dele Bashiru beat the experienced Ugandan goalkeeper and delivered a precise diagonal pass that Onuachu calmly converted, putting the Super Eagles firmly in control.

 

The second half brought more drama and dominance from Nigeria. Substitute Raphael Onyedika doubled the lead in the 62nd minute, finishing brilliantly from a defence-splitting pass by Samu Chukwueze. Just five minutes later, Onyedika struck again, firing a stunning shot after Onuachu intelligently teed the ball into his path to make it 3–0. The cover photo captures Onyedika being congratulated by his teammates after his brace.

 

Uganda’s night was further complicated by an unusual record. The Red Devils used all three goalkeepers in a single match. Forty-year-old Denis Onyaugo, recalled from international retirement, started the game but twisted his left ankle and was replaced at the start of the second half by Jamal Salim. Salim’s appearance lasted only 11 minutes, as he was shown a straight red card in the 57th minute for punching the ball outside the box while attempting to stop a Victor Osimhen attack. Midfielder Baba Alhassan was sacrificed to allow third-choice goalkeeper Alionzi Nafian to take his place.

 

Uganda managed a consolation goal in the 75th minute when Rogers Mato floated a clever effort over Nigerian goalkeeper Francis Uzoho.

 

Despite Nigeria’s emphatic win, historical records show no absolute dominance between the two sides. In eight previous meetings, Uganda have won four times, Nigeria twice, with two draws. Notably, during the 2007 AFCON qualifiers, Nigeria won 1–0 at home, while Uganda claimed a 2–1 victory in the return leg. Nigeria also lost a 2015 friendly and drew another in 2018.

 

Elsewhere in Group C, Tanzania’s Taifa Stars shocked many by holding Tunisia’s Carthage Eagles to a 1–1 draw. Tunisia took the lead in the 28th minute through Ismael Gharbi from a VAR-approved penalty after Ibrahim Hamad was penalised for a bear hug during a set piece. Tanzania equalised shortly after the restart when Moroshi set up Faisal Salim, who scored in the 48th minute.

 

On paper, the result was a major upset, with Tunisia ranked 42nd in the world and making their 22nd AFCON appearance, compared to Tanzania’s 112th ranking and just fifth appearance. Tunisia have previously won one AFCON title and finished runners-up twice, while Tanzania have never progressed beyond the group stage.

 

At the end of Group C action, Nigeria finished with a perfect nine points, scoring eight goals and conceding four—an outcome that spared Nigerian fans the use of calculators. The result also served as a belated birthday gift to stand-in captain Victor Osimhen, who turned 27 on Monday. Tunisia finished second with four points, Tanzania third with two points and hopes of qualifying as a lucky loser, while Uganda exited with just one point.

 

Attention now shifts to Group D, which comes alive at 8pm tonight as Benin’s Cheetahs face defending champions Senegal’s Teranga Lions, while already-eliminated Botswana play DR Congo.

 

The group stages conclude on New Year’s Eve, with Equatorial Guinea facing already-qualified Algeria and Sudan taking on Burkina Faso at 5pm. Later at 8pm, Gabon will meet Ivory Coast, while Mozambique clash with Cameroon as fans across the world prepare for crossover services into the new year.