Nigeria Vs Uganda Player Ratings: Super Eagles Soar to a 3-1 Victory

A dominant Nigerian National Football Team got the better of Uganda 3-1 in a crucial Africa Cup of Nations group stage clash. The Super Eagles looked sharper from the start, while Uganda struggled to cope with the pace and precision around the midfield.

Nigeria took the lead through Paul Onuachu, a classical poacher’s finish from close range after a well-worked move down the left. The first half remained tight, with Uganda’s defense standing firm for long stretches and the game still very much in the balance.

The turning point came after the break when Uganda’s starting goalkeeper picked up an injury, forcing his substitute into action. In a bizarre sequence, the replacement was sent off, leaving Uganda with ten men and reshaping the dynamics of the match.

Nigeria didn’t need a second invitation and pressed home the numerical advantage. Raphael Onyedika took center stage in midfield, delivering a brace that showcased his timing, vision, and shooting prowess from outside the box. Uganda did pull one back through Rogers Mato, a spirited strike that briefly revived hope for the visitors, but it proved only a consolation as Nigeria controlled the closing stages. Here's a look at the Nigeria vs Uganda Player ratings.

Nigeria Player Ratings vs Uganda

Goalkeeper

Francis Uzoho - 6.5: We barely noticed him for large parts of the game, which is a good sign. He conceded one goal but couldn't really be faulted for it. His distribution was solid enough, completing most of his passes. It was a quiet day at the office, and he did what little he had to do without any fuss. A steady, if untested, performance.

Defenders

Igoh Ogbu - 7.0: A very composed and tidy performance from the center-back. His passing was impressively accurate, showing a cool head under pressure. He wasn't flashy, but he didn't need to be. From our perspective, he just went about his business quietly and effectively, neutralizing threats before they became serious. He won his tackles and kept the backline organized.

Bruno Onyemaechi - 7.0: He was a bundle of energy down the left flank before his substitution. Onyemaechi provided a great outlet, getting forward to support the attack and putting in a solid defensive shift. We noticed he was always available for a pass. He even had a decent shot that went just wide. A good, all-action display.

Calvin Bassey - 5.5: A really difficult first half for him. That early yellow card seemed to put him on edge, and he was walking a tightrope afterwards. He committed a couple of fouls and looked a bit shaky. The manager made the right call by taking him off at halftime to avoid a potential red card. It just wasn't his day.

Ryan Alebiosu - 6.5: A solid but unspectacular performance on the right. He put in the work, but we felt he was beaten a little too easily on a couple of occasions. He was industrious and recovered the ball well, but lacked that final bit of quality in his duels. A standard performance, nothing more, nothing less.

Midfielders

Fisayo Dele-Bashiru - 8.0: What a classy performance this was. He was the creative spark in the midfield engine room. His assist for the opening goal was perfectly weighted, a moment of real vision. He was always looking for a forward pass and kept possession brilliantly. A commanding and intelligent display that really set the tempo for his team.

Samuel Chukwueze - 9.0: Absolutely unplayable. Our man of the match, without a doubt. He was a constant torment for the Ugandan defence, registering two assists and creating a host of other chances. Every time he got the ball, you felt something was about to happen. His dribbling was electric, and his final ball was consistently excellent. A truly world-class performance.

Moses Simon - 7.5: While Chukwueze stole the headlines, Simon's contribution was immense. He was a tireless worker on the opposite flank, delivering dangerous crosses and linking up play effectively. He never stopped running, and his defensive work rate was commendable. A fantastic team player who provided perfect balance to the attack.

Raphael Onyedika - 9.0: What stood out to us was his sheer dominance. He ran the midfield with an almost perfect passing display and capped it off with two well-taken goals. His first goal extended the lead at a crucial time, and the second sealed the victory. He was everywhere, breaking up play and driving his team forward. A phenomenal, box-to-box masterclass.

Forwards

Victor Osimhen - 6.5: It was a strangely subdued outing for the superstar striker. He was caught offside three times and seemed a bit out of sync with the game's rhythm. He still worked hard for the team and drew defenders, creating space for others. But by his own high standards, this was a quiet one. We were honestly surprised he didn't get on the scoresheet.

Paul Onuachu - 7.5: He did exactly what he was on the pitch to do. He acted as the physical focal point and scored the vital opening goal with a sharp finish. His presence caused problems for the Ugandan centre-backs all evening. It was a classic striker's performance, capped with a goal before he was subbed off.

Substitutes

Zaidu Sanusi - 6.5: Came on for Onyemaechi and provided fresh legs to see out the game. Did his job without any fuss.

Tochukwu Nnadi - N/A: Didn't have enough time or involvement to warrant a rating.

Akor Adams - N/A: A late replacement for Osimhen to run down the clock.

Manager

É. Chelle - 8.0: He got his tactics spot on. The team was well-drilled, aggressive, and played with a clear plan. His decision to substitute the yellow-carded Bassey at halftime was proactive and smart. He set his team up to exploit Uganda's weaknesses, and they executed his vision perfectly. A great day at the office for the gaffer.

Uganda Player Ratings vs Nigeria

Goalkeeper

Denis Onyango - 6.5: The veteran keeper was looking solid before an unfortunate injury forced him off at halftime. He made a couple of decent saves and was commanding his box well. He could do little about the first goal. It was a real shame to see his night end prematurely, as his experience was sorely missed in the second half.

Defenders

Kenneth Semakula - 5.0: A torrid evening for the defender. He was run ragged by Nigeria's attackers, particularly Moses Simon. He struggled to cope with the pace and movement, losing possession in dangerous areas. He recovered the ball a few times but was largely overwhelmed by the occasion.

Toby Sibbick - 5.5: While he made a high number of clearances, that just shows how much pressure the defence was under. He was part of a backline that conceded three goals and always looked vulnerable. We felt he was often a step behind the play. A difficult night against a top-quality attack.

Aziz Kayondo - 6.0: One of the better performers in a beleaguered defence. He battled hard and won most of his individual duels, showing real fight. He even tried to get forward when possible. However, he was still part of a defensive unit that was systematically pulled apart. A spirited effort in a losing cause.

Jordan Obita - 4.5: From our perspective, he had a nightmare. He was consistently targeted and beaten by the phenomenal Samuel Chukwueze. He looked completely out of his depth and offered very little protection on his flank. A performance to forget, and a rating that reflects his struggles throughout the game.

Midfielders

Travis Mutyaba - 6.5: Looked like one of Uganda's brighter sparks in the first half. He was tidy in possession and showed some nice touches to draw a couple of fouls. We were a bit surprised to see him substituted at halftime, as he seemed to be one of the few who could compete technically with the Nigerian midfield.

Baba Alhassan - 5.5: He was on the pitch for an hour but we barely noticed him. He was completely bypassed by Nigeria's midfield. His game was cut short when he was sacrificed for a new goalkeeper after the red card. He didn't have the chance to make any real impact on proceedings.

Bobosi Byaruhanga - 5.5: He tried to create but his delivery was lacking. An error from him led to a shot, and he lost possession too frequently. He worked hard defensively, but was fighting a losing battle against the superior quality of Onyedika and Dele-Bashiru. Just not his night.

Forwards

Rogers Mato - 7.5: The absolute standout player for Uganda. He was a lone warrior in attack, showing immense courage and determination. He took his goal brilliantly, a deserved reward for a tireless performance. He never gave up and was the only player who consistently looked like a threat. A fantastic individual display.

Uche Ikpeazu - 6.0: A frustrating player to watch. He used his physicality well to win a lot of free-kicks, which was his main contribution. However, his end product was poor, and he was often clumsy in possession. He earned a yellow card for a rash challenge. A nuisance, but not an effective one.

Denis Omedi - 5.0: He was completely anonymous in the first half. He offered no threat, barely touched the ball, and was rightly hooked at the break. A very disappointing showing where he failed to make any impression on the game whatsoever.

Substitutes

Salim Magoola - 2.0: Came on at halftime and had a disaster. A moment of madness saw him handle the ball outside his area, resulting in a straight red card. This act of self-sabotage killed any hope his team had of a comeback.

Allan Okello - 5.5: Came on at halftime but struggled to get into a game dominated by Nigeria.

Steven Mukwala - 6.0: Offered a bit more energy than Omedi but was feeding off scraps.

Nafian Alionzi - 6.5: Thrown into an impossible situation as the third-choice keeper, but made one very good save.

Jude Ssemugabi - N/A: Came on too late to be rated.

Manager

P. Put - 5.0: His team was thoroughly outplayed and out-thought. While the injury to Onyango was unlucky, the tactical setup seemed incapable of handling Nigeria's offensive power. The team looked disjointed and was on the back foot from the start. A day he will want to move on from quickly.