AFCON 2025: Super Eagles Seal Perfect Group Stage With 3–1 Win Over Uganda

The Super Eagles of Nigeria finished the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Group C stage in style, cruising to a 3–1 victory over Uganda in their final group game at the Complexe Sportif de Fès in Morocco, completing a perfect group-stage campaign with three wins from three matches.

Nigeria had already secured qualification for the Round of 16, but head coach Éric Chelle’s side produced a commanding performance in Fès. Paul Onuachu opened the scoring in the 28th minute with his first international goal in four years, tapping in from close range after a smart pass from Fisayo Dele-Bashiru.

The match took a decisive turn just after the hour mark when Uganda’s substitute goalkeeper Jamal Salim was sent off for handling outside the box to deny Victor Osimhen a clear scoring opportunity, leaving the Cranes a man down.  Nigeria seized the advantage Raphael Onyedika struck twice in quick succession — in the 62nd and 67th minutes — both times assisted by Samuel Chukwueze, to put the game beyond doubt.

Despite a late consolation from Rogers Mato for Uganda in the 75th minute, Nigeria held firm to finish top of Group C with nine points, becoming the only team at this year’s tournament to win all three of their group matches.

Editorial

There are performances that reaffirm expectations, and then there are occasions that announce arrival. Nigeria’s 3–1 victory over Uganda was the latter not merely a Group C closer, but a declaration of intent as the AFCON enters its knockout phase.

From the outset, Éric Chelle’s team balanced controlled build-up with incisive execution, even as rotation reshaped the lineup. Paul Onuachu’s opener his first for Nigeria in years was a testament to the team’s patience and creativity in attack, initiated by Fisayo Dele-Bashiru’s calming presence on the left flank.

When Uganda was reduced to ten men early in the second half, Nigeria’s response was clinical rather than cavalier. Raphael Onyedika’s quickfire brace underscored not just individual quality but collective rhythm and confidence, traits that have defined the Super Eagles’ march through this phase.

This was more than a tidy win. It was a statement about depth and adaptability Chelle’s willingness to integrate squad players without sacrificing performance, his tactical fluidity and his squad’s readiness to deliver under pressure. In a tournament where tight margins and unpredictable twists await, the psychological edge of a perfect group run cannot be overstated. It instills a quiet yet palpable belief the kind that serves teams well beyond the group stages.

For a side that has navigated the dual burdens of World Cup qualification disappointment and continental expectation with growing cohesion, this moment in Fès may be remembered as the flashpoint where potential turned into palpable momentum. As the Super Eagles prepare for the Round of 16, their blend of creativity, resilience and assertiveness sends a clear message Nigeria is not just in the knockout rounds  they are ready to make noise there too.

Did You Know?

1. Perfect Points Nigeria topped Group C with a full nine points, becoming the only team in AFCON 2025 to win all three group matches.
2. Onuachu’s Return Paul Onuachu’s goal against Uganda was his first for the Super Eagles in over four years, ending a long drought at the international level.
3. Midfield Double Raphael Onyedika scored his two goals in a quick five-minute burst after halftime, turning the contest decisively in Nigeria’s favour.
4. Goalkeeper Drama Uganda had to use three different goalkeepers in the match due to injury and a red card — a rare and chaotic sequence at this level of competition.
5. Uganda’s Elimination The loss confirmed Uganda’s exit from AFCON 2025, leaving them with just one point from three games and marking a disappointing tournament campaign.