By Kunle Solaja

Uganda made unwanted Africa Cup of Nations history on Tuesday after becoming the first team to use three goalkeepers in a single AFCON match, during their Group C defeat to Nigeria in Fes.

The unprecedented sequence unfolded in Uganda’s final group game at the Africa Cup of Nations, a match that ultimately ended in a 3–1 loss to Nigeria and confirmed the Cranes’ elimination from the competition.

Uganda began the match with their veteran first-choice goalkeeper, Denis Onyango, but the experienced shot-stopper was forced off at half-time after picking up an injury. His withdrawal prompted head coach Paul Put to introduce Salim Magoola at the start of the second half.

Magoola’s appearance, however, proved brief and dramatic. In the 56th minute, the substitute goalkeeper rushed out of his penalty area and used his hands to stop a goal-bound effort from Victor Osimhen. The infringement occurred several yards outside the box, leaving the referee with no option but to show a straight red card.

The dismissal forced Uganda into further improvisation, compelling Put to call on his third-choice goalkeeper, Nafian Alionzi, who entered the match cold with his team already trailing and down to 10 men.

Despite Alionzi’s introduction, Nigeria took full advantage of their numerical superiority, scoring twice in quick succession to effectively decide the contest. Uganda later pulled back a consolation goal through Rogers Mato, but the damage had long been done.

Tournament statisticians confirmed after the match that Uganda’s triple-goalkeeper rotation was a first in Africa Cup of Nations history, underlining the chaotic nature of a campaign that saw the East Africans struggle for stability both on and off the pitch.

Uganda exited the tournament without a win, extending their long wait for an AFCON victory, while Nigeria advanced to the knockout phase with a perfect group-stage record. For Uganda, however, the night in Fes will be remembered less for the result and more for a record they would rather not own.

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Nigeria wrapped up a flawless Group C campaign at the Africa Cup of Nations with a commanding 3–1 victory over 10-man Uganda in Fes on Tuesday, thanks to a brace from Raphael Onyedika and a long-awaited goal from Paul Onuachu.

The win sealed a third straight victory for Nigeria, who finished top of the group with a perfect nine points, ahead of Tunisia and Tanzania, both of whom progressed to the Round of 16, Tanzania doing so as one of the four best third-placed sides.

Despite resting several regular starters after already securing qualification, Nigeria delivered another assured and dominant performance, underlining their credentials after finishing runners-up at the last tournament and rebounding from the disappointment of missing out on qualification for the 2026 World Cup.

Onuachu, who had missed a straightforward chance midway through the first half, made amends in the 28th minute to open the scoring. Fisayo Dele-Bashiru showed quick footwork down the left before slipping a perfectly weighted pass into the striker, who finished clinically for his first international goal since 2021.

Uganda’s task became even more difficult in the 56th minute when substitute goalkeeper Salim Magoola was sent off for handling the ball well outside his penalty area to deny a shot from Victor Osimhen.

The dismissal compounded Uganda’s problems, forcing coach Paul Put to deploy a third goalkeeper in the match. Magoola had only come on at half-time to replace injured starter Denis Onyango, with Nafian Alionzi subsequently introduced after the red card.

Nigeria capitalised swiftly. In the 62nd minute, Onyedika collected a pass from Samuel Chukwueze and fired a low shot through the legs of Alionzi to double the lead. Five minutes later, the midfielder struck again, side-footing home after Chukwueze created space down the right for his second assist of the night.

Uganda managed a consolation goal with 15 minutes remaining when Nigeria briefly switched off defensively, allowing Rogers Mato to latch onto a pass from Allan Okello and delicately lift the ball over the goalkeeper.

The result ended Uganda’s campaign and capped a turbulent tournament for the East Africans, while Nigeria head into the knockout phase with confidence, momentum and an unblemished group-stage record.

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Tanzania clinched a place in the Round of 16 at the Africa Cup of Nations after battling to a 1–1 draw with Tunisia in their final Group C match on Tuesday.

The result, played in driving rain in Rabat, earned Tanzania a second point of the tournament — enough to see them progress as one of the four best third-placed finishers.

Tunisia had taken the lead late in the first half when Ismael Gharbi converted a 43rd-minute penalty after Tanzania defender Ibrahim Abdallah was penalised for handball. Gharbi had earlier struck the woodwork with a left-footed effort in what was the first clear chance of the contest.

Tanzania responded almost immediately after the break. Just three minutes into the second half, Feisal Salum unleashed a powerful shot that slipped past goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen to level the scores and swing the momentum.

The draw left Tunisia second in Group C behind Nigeria, who defeated Uganda 3–1 in Fes. Tanzania finished third in the group, edging out Angola by the narrowest of margins.

Both Tanzania and Angola ended the group stage with two points and a goal difference of minus one, but Tanzania advanced after scoring three goals compared to Angola’s two — a decisive factor under the tournament’s tie-breaking rules.

Tunisia will now face Mali in Casablanca on Saturday in the Round of 16, while Tanzania are set for a daunting first knockout-round meeting with hosts Morocco in Rabat on Sunday.

The result is historic for Tanzania. It marks the first time a team with just two points has progressed as one of the four best third-placed finishers since the tournament expanded to 24 teams in 2019. It is also Tanzania’s first-ever advancement beyond the group stage at the Africa Cup of Nations, despite the East Africans still searching for their first victory at the finals, with a record now standing at five draws and seven defeats in 12 matches.

Tanzania, which will co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations alongside Kenya and Uganda, hopes this breakthrough signals a turning point on the continental stage.

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