Onyedika nets brace as Nigeria stays perfect
Raphael Onyedika scored twice as Nigeria cruised to a 3-1 victory over 10-man Uganda to finish the Africa Cup of Nations group stage with a 100 percent record.
Paul Onuachu got the ball rolling for the Super Eagles in the 28th minute, but after Salim Magoola's 56th-minute sending-off, they found their rhythm.
Uganda started brightly without hitting the target before its starting goalkeeper, Denis Onyango, made a stunning point-blank save to keep out Onuachu at the other end.
Just moments later, the forward broke the deadlock, stretching out to reach Fisayo Dele-Bashiru's low centre on the edge of the six-yard box.
Onyango was then forced off at the break due to an injury, and Magoola only lasted 11 minutes after his introduction. He rushed out of his box to close down Victor Osimhen and handled the Nigeria captain's long-range shot, resulting in a straight red card.
Onyedika then came to the fore, slotting his first past Nafian Alionzi, Uganda's third-choice goalkeeper, from a tight angle on the right side of the box after latching onto Samuel Chukwueze's pass 62 minutes in.
He then made sure of the three points after being left unmarked near the penalty spot, guiding Chukwueze's cutback through the crowded box and into the net five minutes later.
Uganda got a consolation in the 75th minute, with Rogers Mato lifting a lovely finish over Francis Uzoho at the other end, but it was too little, too late.
Nigeria is through as Group C winner, with Tunisia joining them in the knockout stage after a 1-1 draw with Tanzania in their final match.
