Nigeria delivered a strong message to their Africa Cup of Nations rivals with a confident 3–1 victory over Uganda, achieved with a heavily rotated squad. Head coach Eric Sékou Chelle will take particular satisfaction from the display, as it underlined the Super Eagles’ depth and attacking strength even without several regular starters.
Midfielder Raphael Onyedika was the standout performer, producing a composed and commanding display capped by two well-taken goals. His influence in the centre of the pitch controlled the tempo and limited Uganda’s ability to build sustained attacks. Paul Onuachu also impressed, scoring Nigeria’s third goal and entering the history books as the 70th Nigerian player to score at the Africa Cup of Nations — more than any other nation has produced.
Despite their dominance, Nigeria again showed a familiar weakness late on. With the game already won, they conceded a soft goal when Rogers Mato found space behind the defence and fired past Francis Uzoho. It was a blemish on an otherwise assured performance.
Chelle made eight changes to the side that had earlier dismantled Tunisia, retaining only Victor Osimhen, Calvin Bassey and Bruno Onyemaechi from the previous starting lineup. Osimhen wore the captain’s armband in the absence of Wilfred Ndidi, while Ryan Alebiosu made his Super Eagles debut and Igoh Ogbu earned just his second cap. Even with the reshuffle, Nigeria looked comfortable throughout and were never seriously threatened.
The match tempo was understandably slower, given Nigeria had already secured qualification, but their control was evident. The Super Eagles completed the group stage with a perfect nine points from three matches and now await one of the best third-placed teams from Group F in the knockout phase.
Onyedika’s performance will significantly strengthen his case for a regular starting role. Operating in a deep midfield position, he combined calm distribution with intelligent ball recovery, breaking up Uganda’s play without reckless challenges. His timing going forward was equally impressive, as he arrived late in the box to score both goals. While he may not match Ndidi or Frank Onyeka for sheer athleticism, Onyedika’s technique, awareness and composure give Nigeria a different and valuable midfield profile.
Nigeria’s options in midfield continue to grow. Fisayo Dele-Bashiru contributed energy and precision, providing the assist for Onuachu’s goal, while younger talents such as Tochukwu Nnadi and Ebenezer Akinsanmiro remain promising options for the future.
Perhaps the most encouraging takeaway was Nigeria’s squad depth. Making eight changes and still delivering a high-level performance is a luxury few teams at the tournament can boast. Several players in this so-called second-string side brought significant experience, including Moses Simon, Chidozie Awaziem, Samuel Chukwueze and Francis Uzoho. Statistically, Nigeria dominated possession and passing, comfortably outclassing Uganda across the pitch.
This depth gives Chelle flexibility but also creates selection challenges. Strong performances across multiple positions mean competition for places will be intense as the tournament progresses. Alebiosu, before suffering a serious cut that may rule him out, impressed at right-back, while substitutes such as Nnadi showed they can cope at this level.
In goal, Uzoho delivered a calm display without being overly tested, offering reassurance rather than making a decisive claim for the starting role. He handled crosses confidently and maintained control of his area, easing some concerns among supporters.
Defensively, however, Nigeria’s tendency to concede late goals remains a concern. Under Chelle, the team has allowed one goal per game on average, with many coming in the final stages. Lapses in concentration, particularly at the far post, have been a recurring issue and could prove costly against stronger opposition. For a side with title ambitions, tightening up at the back is essential.
At the other end, Nigeria’s scoring record under Chelle has been outstanding. The Super Eagles have netted 30 goals in 15 matches during his tenure and set a new national record with eight goals in the group stage alone. The attacking fluency recalls Nigeria’s most prolific eras and has made them one of the tournament’s most entertaining teams.
If Nigeria can pair this attacking power with greater defensive discipline, they will be well positioned for a deep run. As Chelle himself noted after the match, winning trophies requires more than a strong starting eleven — it demands a complete squad. On current evidence, Nigeria have exactly that.
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