Nigeria’s rotated Super Eagles side completed a perfect AFCON Group C campaign with a 3 1 win over Uganda in Fès, Morocco. Paul Onuachu scored once and Raphael Onyedika hit a brace as Nigeria finished with nine points from three games.
Onuachu, preferred to Akor Adams as coach Eric Chelle made several changes from the wins over Tanzania and Tunisia, opened the scoring in the 28th minute. He finished calmly from a Fisayo Dele Bashiru cross just two minutes after Uganda’s veteran keeper Denis Onyango had denied him from close range.
Nigeria had dominated from the start, with Samuel Chukwueze and Moses Simon threatening early. Chukwueze saw a 9th minute effort deflect off the wall and delivered a dangerous cross that almost found Onuachu, while Moses went close shortly before half time.
After the break, Uganda briefly threatened as Rogers Mato nearly connected with a good cross before Nigeria reasserted control. Wing back Bruno Onyemaechi hit the side netting on 51 minutes, then the game swung further Nigeria’s way when stand in keeper Salim Omar was sent off for handling outside his area as Victor Osimhen bore down on goal.
Onyedika, making his first appearance at this AFCON, doubled the lead in the 62nd minute after combining neatly with Chukwueze. The pair linked up again four minutes later, with the Belgium based midfielder finishing another flowing move to make it 3 0.
Onuachu almost added a fourth with a header that flew just over in the 70th minute. Uganda then pulled one back five minutes later when Mato finished off an impressive team move to make it 3 1.
The result confirmed Nigeria as group winners with maximum points and set up a Round of 16 tie against the third placed team in Group F, with Comoros and Angola already out as third placed finishers in Groups A and B. Possible opponents include holders Cote d’Ivoire, Cameroon or Mozambique, with the game scheduled for Monday, 5th January in Fès.
Elsewhere in the group, Tanzania’s 1 1 draw with Tunisia took the Taifa Stars into the knockout rounds for the first time in their history. They will face tournament hosts Morocco in the Round of 16.
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