The Tremendous Eagles have been already assured development by to the AFCON knockout levels as Group C winners forward of Tuesday’s assembly with Uganda in Fez.
Head coach Chelle made eight modifications in opposition to Uganda as he rested a number of key gamers figuring out that nothing might change on the summit of the group, with the likes of Stanley Nwabali, Semi Ajayi and Ademola Lookman all just one yellow card away from an computerized one-match suspension that might have seen them miss the last-16 tie, with cautions wiped after the group stage.
A lot-changed Nigeria ensured they completed their spectacular group marketing campaign in Morocco with a 100 per cent report, with towering former Southampton striker Paul Onuachu sliding in to show house Fisayo Dele-Bashiru’s cross shortly earlier than the half-hour mark.
Membership Brugge midfielder Raphael Onyedika netted twice in 5 second-half minutes to extend the benefit, following a pair of assists from Samuel Chukwueze, and Uganda goalkeeper Salim Magoola – a half-time alternative for injured captain Denis Onyango – being despatched off for dealing with an Osimhen shot effectively outdoors his field.
Uganda managed to salvage some satisfaction from an in any other case disastrous afternoon late on when Rogers Mato lofted in quarter-hour from time after a high quality help from Allan Okello, although it wasn’t sufficient to stop the Cranes – brushed apart 3-1 by Tunisia earlier than salvaging a 1-1 draw with Tanzania – from ending backside of the group and making an early exit with solely some extent to their title.
In Rabat, a first-half penalty from Tunisia’s Ismael Gharbi was cancelled out by Feisal Salum quickly after the break as Tanzania claimed one other 1-1 draw that despatched them by to the knockout levels of AFCON for the very first time on the fourth try.
The Taifa Stars – who’ve nonetheless by no means received a sport on the match – completed on the very same variety of factors and with an similar aim distinction to Angola from Group B, edging out Patrice Beaumelle’s males as one of many 4 finest third-place groups by advantage of getting scored one aim extra.
Subsequent up for them is a frightening assembly with hosts and competitors favourites Morocco in Rabat on Sunday night.
Tunisia, in the meantime, secured a runners-up spot in Group C, behind Nigeria, and they’re going to face Group A runners-up Mali in Casablanca on Saturday evening.
Who Nigeria will face in AFCON final 16
Angola’s exit means Nigeria will play the third-place finishers from Group F within the final 16 at AFCON, in a tie that may happen again on the Fez Stadium on Monday evening (January 5).
That’s more likely to be both Cameroon or Mozambique, who play one another in Agadir on Wednesday night as Group F attracts to a detailed.
Mozambique presently sit third after their historic 3-2 win over Gabon on Sunday, their first at AFCON on a sixth journey to the finals, one level behind Cameroon whose aim distinction is one aim higher.
Holders Ivory Coast high Group F forward of a gathering with already-eliminated Gabon in Marrakesh. It’s nonetheless doable for them to complete third, however appears unlikely at this stage.
Mozambique would end third in the event that they draw or lose to Cameroon, who misplaced 2-0 to Nigeria within the final 16 on the final version of AFCON.
Get by the primary knockout spherical and a heavyweight conflict with 2019 winners Algeria might await the Tremendous Eagles within the quarter-finals.
