Nigeria beat Uganda 3-1 to qualify for the AFCON round of 16 with a perfect record | Football news

Elsewhere in Group C, Tanzania qualified for the knockout stages for the first time after a 1-1 draw against Tunisia.

Raphael Onyedika scored twice and Paul Onuachu scored his first international goal in four years as an already-qualified Nigeria. defeated Uganda at 10 3-1 to maintain a 100 percent record after the group stage and send the East African team home.

Nigeria finished top of Group C with nine points, followed by Tunisia and Tanzania, who reached the round of 16 as one of the four best third-placed teams after their 1-1 draw against Tunisia on Tuesday.

It was a dominant performance from Nigeria, although several resting regulars were already assured of top spot in the group.

After Onuachu missed a simple chance midway through the first half, he found the back of the net after 28 minutes.

Fisayo Dele-Bashiru ‌showed quick feet on the left and his pass to Onuachu was perfect for the tall striker to finish. The goal was the striker’s first for Nigeria since 2021.

Uganda were reduced to 10 men in the 56th minute, when replacement goalkeeper Magoola used his hands about 10 meters outside their box to stop a Victor Osimhen shot.

Magoola had replaced injured starter Denis Onyango at half-time, so Uganda had to use their third goalkeeper in the match as Nafian Alionzi was brought on.

Nigeria scored their second goal in the 62nd minute when Onyedika collected Samuel Chukwueze’s pass and drilled his low shot through Alionzi’s legs.

Onyedika scored his second five minutes later with a side-footed finish, Chukwueze the passer again with a pass from the right.

Uganda scored a consolation goal 15 minutes from time as the Nigerian defense fell asleep momentarily and Rogers Mato had time and space from Allan Okello’s pass to lift the ball over the keeper and into the net.

Nonetheless, Nigeria impressed in the group stage after losing runners-up two years ago and after the shock of missing out on qualification for the 2026 World Cup.

Meanwhile, Tanzania reached the knockout stage of the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time on Tuesday, 45 years after their first appearance, coming from behind to draw 1-1 against fellow qualifiers Tunisia in Rabat.

Feisal Salum’s powerful shot three minutes into the second half was enough to secure a draw after Tunisia took the lead thanks to a 43rd-minute penalty converted by Ismael Gharbi.

It was only Tanzania’s second point of the tournament, but it proved enough for them to move into the top four third-place finishers.

Tanzania has been trying to advance past the group stage since 1980 and has yet to win a match in four appearances.