AFCON Update: Onyedika brace powers Nigeria past Uganda in Rabat

AFCON: Nigeria 3-1 Uganda – Super Eagles top Group C with 9/9 pts (Onuachu, Onyedika x2); Uganda exit bottom.

Raphael Onyedika celebrates with the Nigerian bench after completing his brace against Uganda on Tuesday to maintain Nigeria's perfect start to the AFCON tournament. (Photo credit: BBC)

The Super Eagles of Nigeria became the only team in the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco to finish top of their group with maximum points after a convincing 3-1 win over Uganda in Rabat.

Having won their opening two games against Tanzania and Tunisia, respectively, the Super Eagles met Uganda on Tuesday, already assured of the top spot in Group C, with coach Eric Chelle resting eight of the players who prosecuted the game against Tunisia.

Birthday boy Victor Osimhen, Calvin Bassey and Bruno Onyemechi were the only surviving members of the first two team sheets, with Francis Uzoho replacing Stanley Nwabali in goal and the likes of Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Frank Onyedika, Moses Simon and Paul Onuachu all coming in.

Nigeria dominated the opening exchanges, controlling the tempo and rhythm of the game with the Ugandans nowhere near them. Onuachu missed a sitter in the 26th minute after he was fed by Osimhen, but a minute later, the former Southampton striker made up for it.

Moses Simon and Dele-Bashiru exchanged passes neatly on the left side of the Ugandan area before the Lazio midfielder laid it on the plate for Onuachu, who made no mistake this time from close range. Nigeria continued to probe, but the half ended 1-0 in favour of the Super Eagles.

Dennis Onyango, the veteran Ugandan goalkeeper, didn’t return for the second half, but his replacement left too much to be desired. Victor Osimhen was through on goal; his lob met the Ugandan substitute goalkeeper outside his area, and his indiscretion to handle the ball outside the box got him a red card.

One became two for the Super Eagles shortly after with Samuel Chukwueze setting up Raphael Onyedika, who slotted in effortlessly. Onyedika was on hand to turn two to three moments later after latching on to another Chukwueze pass to send the Super Eagles 3-0 up for the second consecutive game.

Uganda pulled one back not long after, but it was not enough to stop them from exiting the tournament prematurely. After finishing at the bottom of Group C with three points. Tunisia and Tanzania finished second and third, respectively, after settling for a 1-1 draw in the other group game on Tuesday.