Overview:
Uganda Cranes’ Afcon 2025 campaign ended prematurely after a 3-1 defeat to Nigeria, with Jamal Salim being sent off and Rogers Mato scoring a late consolation.
Uganda Cranes Afcon 2025 campaign came to a premature end following a 3-1 defeat to Nigeria in their group C game at the Complexe Sportif De Fes.
Rogers Mato scored a late consolation after Paul Onuachu and man of the match Raphael Onyedika brace secured the game for the Super Eagles.
Jamal Salim was sent off less than 15 minutes after his introduction but how did the Cranes players rate on the tough evening.
Denis Onyango 6.0: Denied Onuachu moments before he conceded against a run of play from the same man. Wobbled off at halftime.
Kenneth Ssemakula 3.0: Too passive and given a torrid time by Simon Moses all afternoon. Caught out of position in the lead up to the opening goal.
Aziz Kayondo 5.0: Didn’t make errors looked second best against Moses Chukwueze all evening. He gave a good fight though.
Tobby Sibbick 4.0: Couldn’t keep hold of Onuachu and lacked the pace and physicality against the big Nigerian centre forward.
Jordan Obita 4.0: A tough evening against Victor Osimhen. Beaten for pace in the lead up to the red card to Magola and also one moment in the first half when Onyango saved. Nothing like the commanding figure he ought to be.
Baba Alhassan 4.0: Started well alongside Bobosi in a double pivot but waned as Nigeria started to dominate the game. Sacrificed when Magoola was sent off.
Bobosi Byaruhanga 5.0: A little slow and lost so many physical battles but had decent passes including one in the first half down the left that opened up the Super Eagles backline.
Travis Mutyaba 4.0: A passive half as compared to his performance against Tanzania. Subbed at halftime.
Rogers Mato 6.0: Got the goal that gave the team a respectable scoreline. Good movement and nice finish but otherwise passive.
Denis Omedi 3.0: Wasted a good opportunity early on. Rightly substituted at halftime.
Uche Ikpeazu 6.0: Bizarrely Cranes’ best performer, displaying impressive hold-up play and winning lots of duels with his brute power.
Substitutes
Allan Okello 6.0: Came on at a halftime with the Cranes chasing a game and despite the numerical disadvantage, he created the consolation
Jamal Salim Magoola 2.0: His red card turned an already difficult game into a terrible one.
Steven Mukwala 3.0: His work was made tough after the red card but continued to work hard.
Alionzi Nafian 3.0: Thrown in a fire place at the wrong time. Had literally nothing to do with the goals conceded.
Jude Ssemugabi N/a: Replaced Uche late on.