Group C winners, Super Eagles of Nigeria will face Uganda in their 2025 AFCON final group game on Tuesday in a game that means different things for both sides.
Nigeria have qualified for the knockout stage of the AFCON with a game to spare for a fourth consecutive time and so can afford themselves the chance to give rest to key actors of the team.
Uganda have group stage elimination staring them in the face for a second successive tournament and have promised to give it all it takes in a bid to avert this impending doom.
The Complex Sportif de Fes hosts its penultimate game in the competition and although it is not expected to be as spectacular as the last, a good show is still expected.
Here is the Classic Preview of the game:
DEAD RUBBER FOR EAGLES
Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle, did his utmost to evade questions regarding his selection for Tuesday’s game. Speaking to the media on Monday morning, Chelle said the decision on who and who would feature will only be made on match day.
The coach however reported knocks for star striker Victor Osimhen, goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali and midfielder Frank Onyeka but all three took part in the evening’s training session so, Chelle’s decision remains to be seen.
Regardless though, Nigeria have a feel of a dead rubber fixture again in a major competition and it sure provides a platform to keep out the four players with the risk of a possible suspension: Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Semi Ajayi and Stanley Nwabali.
MISSION IMPOSSIBLE FOR UGANDA CRANES
If there is anyone that understands the possibility of anything in football, it has to be current Uganda coach, Paul Put. The Belgian was Burkina Faso coach when the Etalons reached their only AFCON final in 2013, emerging from a group that had defending champions Zambia and powerhouse Nigeria.
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Put knows that his side are ranked outsiders in Tuesday’s game but also knows that achieving an upset against the group winners, Nigeria is not impossible if his players believe so.
“We know we are facing a very good team which got to the final of the last AFCON edition, also have performed very well here because they have maximum points,” began Put.
“We play against Nigeria and we know why we have to play. We want to change our situation so we must have a good result and I hope the players will give their best for the game. It’s going to be hard, it’s going to be difficult but in football, everything is possible.”
MATCH DETAILS
Match: Uganda vs Nigeria
Venue: Fes Sports Complex, Fes
Time: 5:00pm (local and WAT)
Referee: Djindo Louis Houngnandande (Benin)
BETTING TIP:
Nigeria’s games have produced goals. Only hosts Morocco who have completed their group stage games have scored more than the Super Eagles in this AFCON tournament.
This game has a making of up to three goals too. Nigeria’s defence is not watertight so they give opportunities to opponents to score. Perhaps, Uganda will take their moments to do the right things too.
Prediction: 2-1 win for Nigeria
HOW TO WATCH
All AFCON games are still aired on SuperSport but you can watch online here.
