Raphael Onyedika scored twice and Paul Onuachu netted his first international goal in four years as Nigeria beat 10-man Uganda 3-1 in Fes on Tuesday to record a third win in Group C at the Africa Cup of Nations and send the east African side home.
Nigeria finished top of the group with nine points followed by Tunisia and then Tanzania, who drew 1-1, with the latter reaching the last 16 as one of the four best third-placed sides.
It was a dominant performance from Nigeria despite resting several regulars having already been assured of top spot in the group. Uganda netted a consolation through Rogers Mato and used three goalkeepers in the game following an injury to Denis Onyango and a red card for Salim Magoola, who was replaced by Nafian Alionzi – another mishap in a chaotic tournament for Paul Put’s side.
Nigeria have impressed in the group stage having been losing finalists two years ago, and following the shock of missing out on 2026 World Cup qualification. After Onuachu had missed a simple chance midway through the first half, he found the back of the net after 28 minutes. Fisayo Dele-Bashiru showed quick feet on the left and his pass into Onuachu was perfect for the big forward to finish.
Nigeria scored their second goal in the 62nd minute when Onyedika took Samuel Chukwueze’s pass and drilled his shot low through the legs of Alionzi. Onyedika netted his second five minutes later with a side-footed finish, Chukwueze again the provider with a pass from the right. Uganda got a consolation goal with 15 minutes left as the Nigerian defence momentarily went to sleep and Mato lifted the ball over the keeper and into the net.
Tanzania grabbed a second-half equaliser to hold Tunisia to a 1-1 draw and book a place in the last 16.
Tanzania’s second point of the tournament proved enough for them to advance as one of the four best third-placed finishers. Feisal Salum’s powerful shot three minutes into the second half secured the draw after Tunisia had gone ahead through a 43rd-minute penalty converted by Ismaël Gharbi.
Tunisia will meet Mali in Casablanca on Saturday in the last 16 while Tanzania will face the hosts, Morocco, in the first knockout round in Rabat on Sunday.
Ten-man Senegal overcame a gallant Benin 3-0 to finish top of Group D. The central defender Abdoulaye Seck put Senegal ahead at half-time, and Habib Diallo and the substitute Cherif Ndiaye scored after the break. Senegal’s captain, Kalidou Koulibaly, was sent off for a clumsy tackle with around 20 minutes left, however, and will be suspended going into the knockout stages.
Senegal finished with seven points, ahead of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), who beat Botswana 3-0 in Rabat, on goal difference. Senegal must now wait to find out the identity of their last-16 opponents, who will be either Burkina Faso or Sudan in Tangier on Saturday, while Benin, who advance as one of the best third-placed finishers, head to Agadir to face Egypt on Monday.
There was a lengthy video assistant referee check before Seck’s 38th-minute goal was validated, but television replays showed the ball had come off Seck’s elbow rather than his head.
Sadio Mané set up the second for Diallo in the 63rd minute, taking on the Benin defence down the left flank before pulling the ball back for Diallo to sweep home.
Koulibaly was sent off seven minutes later after catching Benin’s Aiyegun Tosin on the back of his heel with a late challenge. Samuel Uwikunda, the Rwandan referee, took several minutes and watched multiple replays on the sideline screen before making the decision to dismiss the Senegal captain.
Even with the numerical disadvantage, however, Senegal were stronger and 17-year-old substitute Ibrahima Mbaye forced a penalty as he broke away, only to be clipped by Rachid Moumouni. Ndiaye, who had only just come on to the pitch, fired home the spot-kick to make it 3-0.
Benin’s best chance came from a free kick in the last five minutes which Junior Olaitan struck on target, but Édouard Mendy made a flying save.
Gaël Kakuta scored two goals and laid on another as DRC defeated Botswana 3-0, to set up a last-16 clash with Algeria on 6 January.
Nathanael Mbuku scored the game’s opener, set up by Kakuta’s backheel pass, before the latter netted a penalty and then a third for his side from close range in a comfortable win.
Botswana have now lost all six of their Cup of Nations matches following their second appearance at the continental finals.
DRC took the lead on the half-hour mark when Mbuku played a neat one-two with Kakuta, the latter returning the ball with a clever backheel, before Mbuku slotted the ball in at the near post.
The Congolese were then awarded a penalty when the Botswana defender Thabo Leinanyane handled the ball from Meschack Elia’s cross and Kakuta converted the spot-kick.
Kakuta netted his second goal in the 60th minute as he controlled Théo Bongonda’s pass and under no pressure from the Botswana defence, finished from seven yards.
Congo had the ball in the back of the net again when Fiston Mayele rose to deflect the ball in, but a VAR review suggested he used his arm to direct the ball into the net.
