Nigeria Cruise Past Nine-Man Uganda to Secure Quarterfinal Berth

FÈS, MOROCCO — With a quarterfinal place on the line, Nigeria delivered a ruthless display of attacking football to secure a 3-1 victory over Uganda at the Complexe Sportif de Fès. The Super Eagles' dominance was reflected in the statistics and on the scoreboard, as they controlled 71.9% of possession and eventually overwhelmed a spirited but ultimately outmatched Ugandan side.

Nigeria wasted little time asserting their authority. In the 28th minute, Paul Onuachu broke the deadlock with a clinical finish from very close range, prodding home after Fisayo Dele-Bashiru's clever work created the opening. The towering striker's positioning proved too much for Uganda's defense to handle, and his finish to the bottom left corner sent the Super Eagles into the break with a deserved advantage. Uganda's resistance, built on defensive discipline and occasional counterattacks, kept them within touching distance through the first 45 minutes despite Nigeria's territorial dominance.

The match's defining moment arrived in the 56th minute when Salim Magoola was shown a straight red card for handball, blocking Victor Osimhen's goal-bound effort with his arm. Already facing an uphill battle, Uganda now had to navigate the final third of the match with nine men. Nigeria capitalized swiftly. Raphael Onyedika struck twice in five devastating minutes, first in the 62nd minute with a right-footed shot from the right side of the box to the bottom right corner, then again in the 67th minute from the centre of the box. Both goals were expertly assisted by Samuel Chukwueze, whose pace and precision on the right flank tormented Uganda throughout the evening.

Rogers Mato provided a brief moment of hope for the Cranes in the 75th minute, slotting home from the centre of the box after Allan Okello's perfectly weighted through ball. The goal showcased Uganda's determination even when reduced to nine men, but it proved merely a consolation. Nigeria's statistical dominance told the story of the match—six shots on target compared to Uganda's solitary effort, with goalkeeper Nafian Alionzi forced into three saves to prevent an even heavier defeat.

The tactical battle was effectively decided once Uganda lost their numerical advantage. Bruno Onyemaechi and Ryan Alebiosu controlled the flanks for Nigeria, while Chukwueze's direct running repeatedly stretched Uganda's depleted backline. Calvin Bassey and Igoh Ogbu marshaled Nigeria's defense comfortably, rarely troubled by Uche Ikpeazu and Denis Omedi's isolated efforts. The match became increasingly stretched in the final 20 minutes, with Nigeria content to manage their advantage while Uganda pushed bodies forward in search of an unlikely comeback.

The fiery encounter saw 20 fouls committed and three yellow cards brandished, with Chidozie Awaziem cautioned late on for a foul on Steven Mukwala. Nigeria's composure under pressure, particularly after Mato's goal threatened to inject drama into the closing stages, demonstrated their tournament credentials. Moses Simon and Osimhen combined effectively in the final third, though the latter was denied by the offside flag on multiple occasions.