AFCON

NIGERIA AND LAST MINUTE GOALS AT AFCON

Published

6 years ago

July 15, 2019

BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

Sunday’s last minute goal for Algeria was not the first of such to be conceded by Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations, even though, Super Eagles have also profited from the cliff-hanging situations as the clock ticked down.

It is well known that it was the last minute goal against South Africa that shut them into the semi finals. Also in 2008, it was the late minute goal that Yakubu Aiyegbeni scored against Benin Republic that earned Nigeria a passage into the knockout stage on goal difference over Mali.

Two years earlier in Egypt, even though Nigeria had won their two group games against Zimbabwe and Ghana, the Super Eagles were at the risk of possible elimination going into the third match with Senegal.

Senegal had beaten Zimbabwe 2-0 before losing 1-0 to Ghana. With that scenario, all possibilities were open for Zimbabwe to advance, should they beat Ghana and if Nigeria beat Senegal silly.

Similarly, Nigeria’s advancement was at risk had they lost to Senegal by at least two goals and also Ghana beating Zimbabwe by the same margin or more. The three tops teams would have ended with six points apiece.

Nigeria would have been eliminated on goal difference. Zimbabwe did the unexpected beating Ghana 2-1 in Ismalia. With the match and that of Nigeria and Senegal going on simultaneously, Senegal took an early lead before Nigeria leveled up 11 minutes to regulation time.

But a win was needed for Nigeria to advance. The needed goal only came two minutes to end the game. That was not the first time Nigeria had a late goal against Senegal.

On their home soil in Dakar, Stephen Keshi fired a long range shot that enabled Nigeria get a 89^th minute goal with which the host team was defeated in the opening game of 1992 Africa Cup of Nations.

Was it history repeating itself at the semifinals when a dying minute robbed Nigeria a place in the final on Sunday? It was also so in 1976 when Guinea’s Papa Camara’s last minute goal confined Nigeria to struggle for third a third=place match with Guinea.

AFCON

Points of Interest: As Nigeria Take on Uganda

Published

11 hours ago

December 30, 2025

Kunle Solaja

By Kunle Solaja

A difficult rivalry
- Historically, Nigeria have always found Uganda a hard nut to crack.
- In eight previous confrontations, Uganda have recorded four victories, underlining the competitive nature of this fixture.
1978 AFCON heartbreak
- Uganda famously eliminated Nigeria in the semi-finals of the 1978 Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana, a result that still stands as one of the biggest upsets involving the then Green Eagles.
Ighalo’s beginning
- Former Super Eagles striker Odion Ighalo made his international debut in a home defeat to Uganda in 2015, marking a significant personal milestone on a difficult night for Nigeria.
Enyeama’s spoiled landmark
- Uganda also ruined a historic moment for former Nigerian goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, defeating Nigeria 1–0 in Uyo during a ceremonial match held to mark his 100th international cap, played in his state of origin.

Uganda beat Nigeria 1-0 at home in a match that marked Vincent Enyeama’s 100th cap
Recurring theme
- The shock 2–1 defeat inflicted by Uganda at the 1978 AFCON, which knocked Nigeria out of the tournament, remains a defining reference point whenever the two sides meet.

These historical touchpoints add extra edge and context as Nigeria and Uganda face off once again.

Nigeria -Uganda: Head-to-Head

Teams	P	W	D	L	F	A
Uganda	8	4	2	2	6	5
Nigeria	8	2	2	4	5	6

DATE	MATCH/VENUE	SCORELINE
14 March 1978	AFCON, Kumasi	Uganda 2-1 Nigeria
26 September 1981	Friendly, Kampala	Uganda 1-0 Nigeria
29 August 1992	AFCON qualifier, Lagos	Nigeria 2-0 Uganda
17 July 1993	AFCON qualifier, Kampala	Uganda 0-0 Nigeria
24 March 2007	AFCON qualifier, Abeokuta	Nigeria 1-0 Uganda
2 June 2007	AFCON qualifier, Kampala	Uganda 2-1 Nigeria
25 March 2015	Friendly, Uyo	Nigeria 0-1 Uganda
20 November 2018	Friendly, Asaba	Nigeria 0-0 Uganda

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AFCON

Nigerian-Descent, Ikpeazu Ready to Lead Uganda’s Charge Against Nigeria

Published

11 hours ago

December 30, 2025

Kunle Solaja

By Kunle Solaja.

This Tuesday evening in Fès, the Africa Cup of Nations will once again pit history against destiny.

Nigeria, three-time champions and already assured of a place in the Round of 16, face Uganda in a clash that means everything to the Cranes.

For Uche Ikpeazu, the forward of Nigerian descent who has become Uganda’s unlikely talisman, the match is more than just another fixture—it is a personal mission.

Ikpeazu, who rescued Uganda with a crucial equalizer against Tanzania, knows the weight of expectation. “I came here to fight for Uganda, to give everything I have,” he said after Sunday’s draw.

“We still have a chance, and we must believe.” His words carry the urgency of a team stuck on one point, needing victory to extend their stay in Morocco.

Uganda’s path has been littered with missed opportunities. Veteran goalkeeper Denis Onyango and his teammates rued Allan Okelo’s missed penalty against Tanzania, a moment that could have changed their fortunes. Now, the Cranes must summon courage against a Nigerian side brimming with confidence and intent on maintaining their winning rhythm.

Nigeria’s arsenal is formidable. Victor Osimhen, fresh off his 27th birthday, has 32 goals in 48 appearances and is eager to mark the occasion with another strike.

Alongside him, Ademola Lookman has been electric, scoring twice and assisting twice in this tournament, his left-footed missiles reminding Africa why he is among its finest. Behind them, Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, and Frank Onyeka have orchestrated a midfield that looks unbreakable.

Yet Uganda can draw strength from history. In eight previous encounters, the Cranes have beaten Nigeria four times, including the unforgettable 1978 semi-final when Philip Omondi’s winner stunned the Super Eagles.

Omondi later became the tournament’s top scorer.

Uganda have only twice progressed beyond the group stage—1978 and 2019—but the belief remains that they can upset giants when least expected.

Coach Paul Put is expected to start Ikpeazu, hoping his physical presence and determination can unsettle Nigeria’s defence. Alongside him, James Bogere, Denis Omedi, and Okello will be tasked with finding the goals that could rewrite Uganda’s AFCON story.

Nigeria, meanwhile, chase milestones of their own. With 149 goals in 106 AFCON matches, they are poised to reach the 150 mark, a testament to their enduring dominance. Captain Ndidi summed up the mood: “The atmosphere in the team is good. Everyone is excited and confident, but the previous games are in the past. The focus is on the next game.”

For Ikpeazu, the clash is personal. Born of Nigerian roots but carrying Uganda’s hopes, he stands at the crossroads of heritage and ambition. As the sun sets over the Complexe Sportif de Fès, his performance could decide whether Uganda’s journey continues—or ends against the very nation of his descent.

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AFCON

South Africa edge Zimbabwe 3-2 to book knockout place

Published

11 hours ago

December 30, 2025

Kunle Solaja

Oswin Appollis scored a penalty in the final 10 minutes to hand South Africa a 3-2 victory over Zimbabwe in Marrakech on Monday and seal second spot in Group B at the Africa Cup of Nations, dumping their southern African rivals out of the tournament.

South Africa finish with six points in the group, one behind winners Egypt. Both of those advance to the last 16 as Angola (2) finish in third and face an anxious wait to see if that is enough as one of the four best third-placed sides.

South Africa led three times in the game thanks to a first international goal from Tshepang Moremi, as well as strikes from Lyle Foster and Appollis, but coach Hugo Broos will be concerned by how open his side were at times at the back.

Tawanda Maswanhise scored an excellent first equaliser for Zimbabwe and they also profited from an Aubrey Modiba own goal as they missed several other chances and should have earned at least a draw.

South Africa, who finished third in the Ivory Coast two years ago and have qualified for the 2026 World Cup, have yet to hit top gear in the tournament, and were cut apart far too easily by Zimbabwe at times

South Africa led after seven minutes as Moremi’s shot took a wicked deflection off Divine Lunga and looped into the net.

Zimbabwe hit back in the 19th minute with a goal that will go down as one of the best of the tournament as Maswanhise picked up the ball 35 yards out and danced past two defenders before drilling a low shot past goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.

POOR DEFENDING

But South Africa were back in front five minutes after the break when Lunga’s back header to keeper Washington Arubi allowed Foster to sneak in ahead and nod the ball into the net.

Zimbabwe equalised again in the 73rd minute as Maswanhise’s low shot was saved by Williams, but the ball deflected onto Modiba and into the net for an own goal.

South Africa were awarded a penalty with 10 minutes remaining when midfielder Marvelous Nakamba made a goalkeeper-style diving save and handled a shot that appeared to be going wide.

Appollis converted from the spot and Zimbabwe’s hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages at the sixth attempt were dashed.

-Reuters

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