Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations marketing campaign has been hit by recent harm considerations after debutant Ryan Alebiosu and ahead Cyriel Dessers had been each left uncertain for the rest of the match following the Tremendous Eagles’ 3-1 victory over Uganda in Fez, PUNCH Sports activities Further experiences.
An replace launched shortly after the match on Tuesday by Tremendous Eagles media officer Promise Efoghe confirmed that Alebiosu sustained a deep minimize on his proper leg, with uncertainty surrounding his availability for the remainder of the competitors.
Dessers, in the meantime, is claimed to be nursing a thigh drawback and is scheduled to bear a scan to find out the extent of the harm.
The setbacks got here on an evening Nigeria rounded off an ideal Group C marketing campaign with most factors, as a much-changed aspect overcame Uganda to safe high spot and e-book a spot within the spherical of 16.
Paul Onuachu opened the scoring within the twenty eighth minute, rising to satisfy a supply from the left by Fisayo Dele-Bashiru simply moments after veteran goalkeeper Denis Onyango had denied him from shut vary. Nigeria had dominated the opening exchanges, with Samuel Chukwueze and Simon Moses each going shut because the Tremendous Eagles pressed for an early breakthrough.
Uganda threatened briefly after the interval, however Nigeria regained management and doubled their lead within the 62nd minute when Raphael Onyedika, making his first look of the match, completed calmly after linking up with Chukwueze. The identical mixture produced Nigeria’s third objective 4 minutes later, as Onyedika struck once more to place the consequence past doubt.
Uganda pulled one again by means of Rogers Mato with quarter-hour remaining, nevertheless it proved little greater than a comfort as Nigeria closed out the competition with authority.
The win ensured the Tremendous Eagles completed the group stage with 9 factors from three matches and arrange a spherical of 16 assembly with the third-placed aspect from Group F. That opponent will likely be considered one of Ivory Coast, Cameroon or Mozambique, with the tie scheduled for Monday, January 5, in Fez.
Whereas consideration now turns to the knockout section, the health of Alebiosu and Dessers will likely be intently monitored as Nigeria await additional medical assessments forward of the decisive levels of the match.
