- Uganda Cranes bow out winless in the AFCON 2025 group stage in Morocco.
- They suffered a 1-3 defeat to the Super Eagles of Nigeria on Tuesday, December 30, in their final Group C match at the Complexe Sportif de Fes.
- Paul Onuachu and Raphael Onyedika scored the goals that sealed victory for the Super Eagles, while Rogers Mato netted a consolation goal for the ten-man Uganda Cranes.
Uganda Cranes have been eliminated from the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2025) at the group stage without registering a single win, following a disappointing 1-3 defeat to the Super Eagles of Nigeria on Tuesday evening at the Complexe Sportif de Fes in Morocco.
Paul Onuachu and Raphael Onyedika brace, secured the winning goals for the Super Eagles, while Rogers Mato scored a consolation goal for the 10-man Uganda Cranes.
Their substitute custodian, Salim Magoola, was sent off with a red card just minutes after entering the pitch.
Uganda has struggled in this edition, opening the tournament with a 1-0 loss to Tunisia before a 1-1 draw with Tanzania.
They were seeking a victory to keep their knockout stage hopes alive, but encountered a dominant Super Eagles side.
As a result, Uganda has now been eliminated in the group stage for the sixth time without a single victory, having also gone winless in 1962, 1968, 1974, 1976, and 2017.
Furthermore, they have extended their winless run in the AFCON tournament to six matches – two draws and four losses, with their last win dating back to 2019, when they beat DR Congo 2-0.
Uganda Cranes bow out winless in the AFCON 2025
The match remained tightly contested for the first 27 minutes.
Nigeria, who had made eight changes to their starting lineup, controlled possession and dictated play.
Dennis Onyango managed a spectacular save in the 27th minute, only for the Cranes’ defense to falter a minute later.
Paul Onuachu opened the scoring, finishing a well-placed assist from Fisayo Dele-Bashiru to give Nigeria the lead.
Despite Uganda’s efforts to impose themselves, the first half was largely one-sided.
They failed to register a shot on target, managing only three attempts in the final third, while Nigeria’s revised squad enjoyed sustained dominance.
Although the Super Eagles missed close chances, they entered the break ahead.
The second half continued in the same fashion, with the Super Eagles commanding proceedings.
Just as Uganda sought to gain a foothold, disaster struck three minutes before the hour mark.
Substitute goalkeeper Salim Magoola, who had replaced the veteran Dennis Onyango, handled the ball outside his area after a shot from Victor Osimhen.
ALSO READ: Full list of 32 Premier League Stars expected to light up AFCON 2025
Magoola was shown a red card, reducing Uganda to ten men. Nafian Alionzi later replaced Baba Alhassan to become the third custodian.
Magoola had little time to settle, as four minutes later Raphael Onyedika doubled Nigeria’s lead with a fine finish, assisted by Samuel Chukwueze- making Uganda’s dream of advancing a mountainous task.
To be honest, Uganda offered little resistance, and just five minutes later Nigeria capitalized again.
Another fluid buildup from Chukwueze set up Onyedika, and the Club Brugge midfielder made no mistake, striking low to complete his brace and Nigeria’s third.
Uganda at least managed a consolation goal of their own.
A precision pass from super-sub Allan Okello found Rogers Mato on the right wing, who clinically finished to spoil Francis Uzoho’s clean sheet and give Uganda a late glimmer.
Despite pushing for another goal, they could not break through, exiting the tournament without a win. Nigeria, with eight changes to their side, progressed to the knockout stage unscathed, having secured three victories.
Uganda vs Nigeria Lineups – AFCON 2025 Group C
- Uganda: Dennis Onyango, Toby Sibbick, Azizi Kayondo, Jordan Obita, Baba Alhassan, Kenneth Semakula, Bobosi Byaruhanga, Uchechukwu Ikpeazu, Denis Omedi, Travis Mutyaba, Rogers Mato.
- Nigeria: Francis Uzoho, Sodiq Ismaila Alebiosu, Calvin Bassey, Gabriel Ogbu, Bruno Onyemaechi, Raphael Onyedika, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Samuel Chukwueze, Victor Osimhen, Paul Onuachu, Moses Simon.