Onuachu And Onyedika Fire Nigeria To 3-1 Win Over Uganda, Maintain Perfect Record In AFCON Group C

Paul Onuachu and Raphael Onyedika starred as Nigeria defeated Uganda 3-1 to secure all nine points in Group C of the AFCON qualifiers.

Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle made several changes to his starting lineup, handing starts to Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC), Ryan Alebiosu (Blackburn Rovers), Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague), Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio), Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor), and Moses Simon (Paris FC). In the absence of Besiktas midfielder Wilfred Ndidi, Galatasaray forward Victor Osimhen captained the team.

The breakthrough came in the 28th minute when Onuachu scored his first goal for Nigeria in four years, assisted by Dele-Bashiru.

In the 50th minute, Chidozie Awaziem missed a close-range chance from a corner, and a minute later, Bruno Onyemachi nearly doubled the lead, firing into the side netting after Osimhen missed a header.

Uganda was reduced to 10 men in the 56th minute when substitute goalkeeper Salim Jamal Magoola handled Osimhen’s goal-bound shot outside the penalty area.

Nigeria extended their lead in the 67th minute when Club Brugge midfielder Raphael Onyedika scored with an assist from on-loan Fulham winger Samuel Chukwueze. Five minutes later, Chukwueze again impressed on the right wing, setting up Onyedika to complete his brace.

Uganda pulled a consolation goal in the 75th minute through Rogers Mato, who finished off Allan Okello’s through pass. Osimhen was substituted in the 87th minute for Sevilla striker Adams Akor after being denied a first-half goal due to an offside call.

Earlier, Super Eagles legend Kanu Nwankwo, popularly known as Papilo, sent prayers and support to the team ahead of their final Group C match, praising the players for their performance against Tunisia and celebrating their connection to the iconic Super Eagles anthem from the early 1990s.