Nigeria beat Uganda 3-1 in AFCON Group C clash, powered by Onuachu strike and Onyedika brace, topping the group with nine points

A strike by Paul Onuachu and a brace from midfielder Raphael Onyedika secured a 3-1 victory for Nigeria over Uganda in their final Group C encounter at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco.

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Coach Eric Chelle made several changes to the squad that defeated Tanzania and Tunisia in previous games, opting to start Onuachu ahead of Akor Adams.

In the 28th minute, Onuachu capitalised on a precise pass from Fisayo Dele-Bashiru to open the scoring, just two minutes after Ugandan goalkeeper Denis Onyango had denied him from close range.

Earlier in the first half, Nigeria dominated play.

Samuel Chukwueze tested the Ugandan defence in the 9th minute with a shot that hit the wall, and a teasing pull-back in the 25th minute narrowly missed Onuachu.

Simon Moses also came close with a first-half effort that was blocked.

In the second half, Uganda’s goalkeeper Salim Omar replaced the injured Onyango but was sent off in the 57th minute for punching the ball outside his area as Victor Osimhen, Nigeria’s stand-in captain, advanced towards goal.

Nigeria capitalised on the advantage, with Raphael Onyedika, playing his first game at this AFCON, scoring in the 62nd minute from a Chukwueze assist.

Onyedika repeated the feat four minutes later, doubling Nigeria’s lead to 3-0.

Uganda pulled a goal back in the 75th minute through Rogers Mato, who finished a brilliant team move, but Nigeria maintained control to finish Group C with nine points, topping the table.

The Eagles are now set to face the third-placed team from Group F in the Round of 16 on Monday, 5 January, in Fès, with possible opponents including Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon or Mozambique.

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Meanwhile, Tanzania’s 1-1 draw with Tunisia saw the Taifa Stars reach the knockout stage for the first time in history, where they will play host nation Morocco in the Round of 16.