We Got What We Deserved Against Nigeria” – Uganda Stars Onyango, Ikpeazu React To AFCON Exit

Reactions flooded in after Uganda’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) journey ended abruptly with a 3-1 loss to Nigeria, as players admitted that urgency and costly mistakes ultimately sealed their fate.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Uganda goalkeeper Denis Onyango candidly acknowledged that the team’s desperation played into Nigeria’s hands. Needing a win to stay alive in the tournament, the Cranes struggled under pressure, while the Super Eagles remained composed.

“We were desperate for goals, and Nigeria punished us,” Onyango said in a post-match interview. “They are a quality side.”

Nigeria, under coach Éric Chelle, capitalized on their dominance with a brace from Raphael Onyedika and a goal from Paul Onuachu, confirming Uganda’s exit from the 2025 AFCON in Morocco.

Ugandan striker Uche Ikpeazu, who has a Nigerian father and Ugandan mother, also shared his emotions, reflecting on both the personal significance of the match and the lessons learned.

“I will be supporting Nigeria to lift the AFCON. Uganda is a great national team, much respect to them,” Ikpeazu said.

“The quality was evident, and some of the goals we conceded were mistakes, but it’s a learning curve. We are a very young group; we will learn and improve. I gave my best, and that is what matters most.”

With Uganda out of the tournament, attention now turns to the remaining Group stage fixtures, including Ivory Coast vs Gabon, Mozambique vs Cameroon, Sudan vs Burkina Faso, and Algeria vs Equatorial Guinea.