Nigeria defeated Uganda 3-1 in their final group match at the ongoing African Cup of Nations tournament in Morocco on Tuesday.
The win ensured the Super Eagles finished their group with a 100% record and advance to the round of 16, while the Cranes suffered early exit after picking up a single point from their three group games.
What happened in the match
Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle made eight changes to the lineup that started in the win over Tunisia, with only Victor Osimhen, Bruno Onyemaechi and Calvin Bassey keeping their place in the team.
Nigeria started brightly and Denis Onyango had to be in superb form to deny Osimhen and then Onuachu, although the former’s attempt was ruled to be offside.
- Check this: Super Eagles dominate 10-man Uganda to win 3-1
It was the latter who gave them the lead in the first half, sliding home to finish into the net after good work by Fisayo Dele-Bashiru.
Onyango struggled with injuries in the first half, going down several times and had to come off at the interval with Salim Magoola coming on.
That decision proved to be very costly as Uganda were reduced to 10-men only 10 minutes into the second half, after the goalkeeper was sent off for preventing a goal with his hands outside the box.
The Super Eagles made their one-man advantage count as Raphael Onyedika scored twice in the space of five minutes with two assists from Samuel Chukwueze to increase the scoreline to 3-0.
The first was a brilliant finish that went in through the legs of the goalkeeper, but the second was much better as Chukwueze beat two defenders with a superb piece of skill, before passing for Onyedika who applied the finishing touch.
Uganda scored a consolation through Rogers Mato later in the game, but it finished 3-1 in favour of Nigeria.
In this article, SportPremi highlights five major observations from the clash;
1. Onyedika justifies starting role
One major talking point ahead of the clash against Uganda was the lack of playing minutes to Raphael Onyedika.
However, the midfielder’s two-goal showing in the dominant win would have played him into contention to start in Nigeria’s next match amid fierce competition for places in the midfield.
He was not scared to push forward during the game and was very effective in midfield, justifying Eric Chelle’s decision to give him a starting berth.
2. Onuachu makes a case to start
Paul Onuachu’s last goal for the Super Eagles came in 2021, but his inclusion in the 28-man squad was not surprising due to his form for Trabzonspor this season.
The striker scored Nigeria’s first of the game and was a threat with the ball as he was denied another goal by the Ugandan goalkeeper.
He showed his worth in the clash and Eric Chelle can count on him for goals as the tournament progresses.
3. Nigeria show quality in depth
When Eric Chelle named the final 28-man squad to represent the Super Eagles in Morocco, there were plenty question marks surrounding how the team would cope in the absence of some of their star players.
However, the quality in depth was evident in the win over Uganda as most of the players that came in delivered impressive performances.
They also scored three times in the clash, taking their tally to eight for the tournament and showed that goals can be gotten from anywhere in the team, with Onyedika getting a brace this time around.
4. Super Eagles concede once again
One major problem with the Nigerian team has been their very porous defence and inability to close out games well.
In their opening match against Tanzania, they conceded a goal after the defenders failed at an attempt to keep a high line.
Against Tunisia in their second match, they also conceded two late goals in the match and also threw away a three-goal lead.
This time around, Uganda were reduced to 10 men, but still managed to score after Nigeria switched off at the back once again.
Eric Chelle has a huge task of improving the defence as the task gets tougher with opponents that can punish them during the knockout rounds.
5. Chukwueze shows threat from wide areas once again
Samuel Chukwueze was impressive against Tanzania, but was surprisingly left out against Tunisia as Eric Chelle opted for more numbers in the midfield.
The winger started this time around and was a threat on the ball, providing the assists for both of Onyedika’s goals.
The second assist was a moment of individual brilliance and showed what Chukwueze can offer the team. He glided past the first defender and wrong-footed a second, before passing to Onyedika who finished easily.
