Nigeria defeated Uganda 3-1 in their 25 AFCON clash on Tuesday, much to the satisfaction of two-goal hero Raphael Onyedika, SportPremi reports.
The Club Brugge midfielder was the star of the show in a brilliant display by the Super Eagles, who cruised to victory and finished their group C campaign with a perfect record.
Both goals were brilliantly taken and his remarkable showing would give Eric Chelle plenty to ponder ahead of their round of 16 fixture.
After sealing top-spot with the win over Tunisia in their last outing, the Nigerian head coach made eight changes to the starting team, handing opportunities to several players to impress.
Paul Onuachu opened the floodgates in the first half, before the three-time African champions took advantage of a red card to the Cranes with two more goals in the space of five second half minutes by Onyedika.
There was still time for a late consolation through Rogers Mato, but the clash finished 3-1 in favour of Nigeria, who continue their quest for a fourth title.
Onyedika hails performance after Uganda win
Raphael Onyedika capped his first appearance at the ongoing African Cup of Nations tournament in Morocco with a player of the match display for Nigeria against Uganda.
Speaking after the win, the Club Brugge midfielder expressed delight and hoped to have played his way into contention to start in the Super Eagles’ next outing.
“I feel very happy and I cannot explain it. This is the moment I have been working all my life and I am happy that it finally came through,” Onyedika stated.
“It is the same like every other player when you’re not playing you just have to keep working and wait for your opportunity and of course the rest is up to the coach to decide who plays.
“I think it is about waiting for the opportunity and being ready for whatever that comes because it is about performing and being ready whenever you are called up by the coach. It’s about being there and being ready anytime, any moment.”
On Eric Chelle
“It feels good because the standard demands a lot from the players, training and the game, so he’s an amazing manager and also a tough coach. So he expects a lot from the players, he pushes everyone, so he is amazing”, the midfielder added.
On Chukwueze assisting both of his goals
“It is what we work on training for, so it is a matter of seconds, you have to decide and sometimes when you decide it doesn’t come but you just have to be ready.” Onyedika said.
“And I know Samuel very well, whenever he dribbles he always looks for the first person and cuts back. I try to make sure I am always in that position and luckily today I am always in a good position.”
Nigeria will now face the third-placed team from Group F, which will likely be one of Cameroon, Ivory Coast or Mozambique, with the final group games concluding later today.
