KICKOFF 2025: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW FOR TODAY'S NIGERIA VS UGANDA AFCON MATCH
Nigeria vs Uganda: The Super Eagles look for a clean sweep in Group C while the Cranes battle for a miracle knockout qualification.
Nigeria, already winning Group C, is playing Uganda at Fez Stadium this Tuesday in the third round of the Africa Cup of Nations group stage.
The Super Eagles have won their first two games and are ahead by three points. The Cranes are last with one point because they have a worse goal difference than Tanzania, who are third.
Match preview
Nigeria is known for making hard work of easy wins. They barely managed a 3–2 victory over Tunisia, even after leading by three goals.
Eric Chelle’s team was doing great, with goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi, and Ademola Lookman putting them in control. But then Monastir Talbi scored a header in the 74th minute, and Ali Al-Abdi scored a penalty. This gave Tunisia a chance, and they almost came back completely in stoppage time.
This game showed both how good and how shaky Nigeria can be. They've scored and let in goals in seven of their last eight games, including their 2-1 win over Tanzania in the first match of the tournament.
The Super Eagles have won seven of their last 10 games. They've also been doing well in the AFCON group stage, winning seven of their last nine games (with one draw and one loss).
Even though Nigeria has already made it to the next round for the 16th time in a row and won Group C, they'll want to prove they're still one of the best teams in the tournament with a win on Tuesday.
The three-time AFCON champions haven't won the title since 2013. Winning here could make up for losing in the final last time and for not getting into the 2026 World Cup.
Meanwhile, not many people are talking about Uganda not being in the World Cup next year. Finishing second in their qualifying group could still be seen as a good result.
Since losing to Algeria at the end of their qualification games, the Cranes have lost two of their next four matches (winning one and drawing one). This includes a 3-1 loss to Tunisia in their first AFCON game.
Uganda is playing in their first continental finals since 2019. They got their first point of the tournament in a 1-1 draw against Tanzania on matchday two, but it felt like they should have won since Allan Okello missed a penalty in stoppage time.
That means Paul Put’s team has only won one of their last 10 AFCON matches (drawing three and losing six). Now, they might be knocked out in the group stage for the fifth time in eight tournaments, so winning on Tuesday is very important.
Uganda has a good record against Nigeria in the past, winning four of the eight previous games between them (drawing two and losing two). They'll be hoping to win again here. They know they could still get to the knockouts as one of the best third-placed teams, even if they can't finish second.
Team News
Uganda didn't have any new injuries in their draw with Tanzania, so coach Put has everyone to choose from. He might change the lineup again.
The 69-year-old coach made five changes to his starting team on matchday two, including in goal. Jamal Salim was benched in favor of experienced Denis Onyango, who might stay on the team.
Uche Ikpeazu, who has Nigerian roots, is hoping to start on Tuesday after scoring the tying goal against Tanzania last time.
Chelle made two changes to the Super Eagles’ lineup from matchday one. Bruno Onyemaechi replaced Zaidu Sanusi at left-back, and Frank Onyeka was chosen over Samuel Chukwueze in midfield. Both of them might stay on the team.
Osimhen scored his first goal of the tournament last time, while Ndidi scored his first goal for Nigeria. Lookman has scored in two AFCON matches in a row.
Since they've already qualified, it wouldn't be shocking if players like Chidera Ejuke, Moses Simon, Paul Onuachu, and others get to play more.
Uganda's possible starting lineup:
Onyango; Kayondo, Sibbick, Byaruhanga, Obita; Semakula, Mutyaba, Okello; Omedi, Mato, Ssemugabi
Nigeria's possible starting lineup:
Nwabali; Onyemaechi, Bassey, Ajayi, Osayi-Samuel; Ndidi, Iwobi, Onyeka, Lookman; Osimhen, Adams
CARLO ANCELOTTI ISSUES TWO-MONTH WORLD CUP ULTIMATUM TO SANTOS STAR NEYMAR
Carlo Ancelotti confirms Neymar has two months to prove his fitness for the 2026 World Cup. Read the full Selecao update.
_1775922735.webp)
Everyone’s talking about Neymar again as the 2026 World Cup edges closer. It’s the same old debate: does he still have a spot with Brazil? But this time there’s real hope on the table. Carlo Ancelotti’s left the door open for Neymar to make the cut. Even though Neymar hasn’t made the latest squads, he’s obviously still on the minds of the Selecao coaches.
Here’s the situation: Neymar's been battling injuries since he tore his ACL. He missed the season’s first 10 games after knee surgery last December. He got back on the field, but fitness issues and a suspension meant he still watched from the sidelines quite a bit. Still, Ancelotti isn’t ruling him out. In an interview with L’Equipe, Ancelotti emphasised Neymar’s reputation but also made something very clear: if Neymar wants the World Cup, he needs to earn it.
Talent isn't a question; nobody doubts Neymar’s skill. What matters for Ancelotti is being fit. No exceptions, no matter how big the star. “Neymar can come back. I’ve said it before, and it’s simple: only physically ready players get called up,” Ancelotti said flat-out. “His recovery from the knee injury is going well; he’s scoring again. He just needs to keep pushing and get fitter. He’s headed in the right direction.”
With 79 goals in 128 matches, Neymar has shaped Brazil’s football history. Ancelotti gets that fans want to see Neymar try one more time for the one trophy he’s never won. “Neymar belongs to Brazil’s football story. He’s hugely talented, so obviously people hope he’ll help us win the next World Cup. Right now, he’s under assessment not just by the CBF but by me, too. He’s got two months left to show he has what it takes for the World Cup,” Ancelotti said.
Neymar’s chance to prove himself is coming fast, with big matches for Santos ahead. He’s expected to start this Saturday when they face Atlético-MG at Vila Belmiro. If Neymar stays healthy and sharp, that final World Cup dream is still alive.
BRAD FRIEDEL LABELS WESTON MCKENNIE THE "MOST TALENTED" USMNT PLAYER OVER PULISIC
Brad Friedel sparks debate by naming Weston McKennie as more talented than Christian Pulisic for the USMNT in 2026.
Former USMNT goalkeeper Brad Friedel doesn’t think Christian Pulisic is the top American player right now. In his eyes, Weston McKennie is the most talented option Mauricio Pochettino's got, even though Pulisic usually gets all the attention as “Captain America.”
Pulisic does have his fans, but he hasn’t scored for the national team since 2024 and was pretty quiet during the last international break. The US had a rough time, losing 5-2 to Belgium and 2-0 to Portugal. Those friendlies were supposed to get the team ready for big opponents at the 2026 World Cup, but honestly, they just brought up even more doubts. McKennie was one of the few players who actually looked up for it, and Friedel is absolutely convinced he’s the best talent the US has right now.
The team was missing some key names, too. Miles Robinson, Chris Richards, and Tyler Adams were all out. Richards made it back for the Portugal game, but Adams’ absence in midfield was impossible to ignore. Friedel says people are making too much of these recent defeats. He thinks you have to judge the team on how they do in big tournaments, especially this summer. Still, he admits Adams is the one who keeps everyone connected, and when he’s out there, it makes McKennie better, which ends up making life easier for Pulisic.
Pochettino has a headache picking his squad for the World Cup. He’s still not set on his goalkeeper, his defence, his midfield, or even the attack. According to Friedel, no matter who fills those spots, the USMNT’s hopes really come down to what McKennie and Adams bring to the table.
Talking to Express Sport via Oddspedia, Friedel said, “The U.S. has always needed all our best guys. We’ve never been the kind of team that can go 30 deep and not lose quality except in 2002. That was the only year when anyone could’ve started, and we wouldn’t have missed a beat. Tyler is the glue for the team. He doesn’t care if you’re seven feet tall; if you’re not pulling your weight, he’ll call you out. He’s just that type of player.”
Friedel went on, “I coached a lot of these guys when I ran the under-19s. Weston McKennie is, for me, the most talented footballer we have. He can do so many things, but he needs to be fit and focused. With Juventus this season, he’s looked sharp, and he’s carrying that form into the World Cup. If he’s got Tyler alongside him, no matter where Weston ends up playing, Tyler keeps him disciplined. You always get the best version of McKennie when Adams is on the field. If those two are fit and playing well, they open up the space that lets Christian do what he does best.”
Pochettino is staring down a huge challenge to get this team ready for the World Cup. He knows they’re nowhere near their peak, but he keeps insisting they’re not far off either. If Adams can stay healthy, something that’s been tough for him lately, that would take a lot of pressure off the coach. Without him, it shows. With him, everything just seems to fall into place.
