Nigeria beat Uganda 3-1 to head into AFCON last 16 with perfect record

Raphael Onyedika has scored twice, and Paul Onuachu has netted his first international goal in four years as already-qualified Nigeria overcame 10-man Uganda 3-1 to maintain a 100 percent record after the group stage and send the East African side home.

Nigeria ‍finished ⁠top of Group C on Tuesday with nine points, followed by Tunisia in second with four and Tanzania, who reached the round of 16 as one of the four best third-placed ​sides after their 1-1 ‌draw with Tunisia, also on Tuesday.

It was a dominant performance from Nigeria despite resting several regulars, having already been assured of the top spot ‍in the group.

After Onuachu missed a simple chance midway through the first half, ​he found the back of the net after 28 minutes.

Fisayo Dele-Bashiru ‌showed quick feet on the left, and his pass in to Onuachu was perfect for the big forward to finish. The goal was the striker’s first for Nigeria since 2021.

Uganda were reduced to 10 men in the 56th minute ‌when substitute goalkeeper Salim Jamal Magoola used his hands about 9 metres (10 yards) outside his area to stop a Victor Osimhen shot.

Magoola had been ‌a halftime replacement for injured starter Denis Onyango, so Uganda ⁠had to use their third goalkeeper in the game as Nafian Alionzi was brought on for midfielder Baba Alhassan.

Nigeria scored their second goal in the 62nd minute when Onyedika took Samuel Chukwueze’s pass and drilled his shot low through the legs of Alionzi.

Onyedika ‌netted his second five minutes later with a side-footed finish, Chukwueze again the provider with a pass from the right.

Uganda got a consolation goal with 15 minutes left as the Nigerian ‍defence momentarily went to sleep and Rogers Mato had time and space from Allan Okello’s pass to lift the ball over the keeper and into the net.

Nevertheless, Nigeria have impressed in the group stage, having been losing finalists two years ago and following the shock of missing out on 2026 World Cup qualification.

Meanwhile, Tanzania reached the knockout stage of the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time, 45 years after their maiden appearance, by coming from behind to draw 1-1 with fellow qualifiers Tunisia in Rabat.

Feisal Salum’s ‌powerful shot three minutes into the second half was enough to secure ‌the draw after Tunisia had been ‌ahead with a ⁠43rd-minute penalty converted by Ismael Gharbi.

It ‍was only ⁠Tanzania’s second point of the tournament but proved enough for them to advance as one of the four best ​third-placed finishers.

Tanzania have been trying since 1980 to advance beyond the group stage and have still to win a match in four appearances.

Al Jazeera

Anthony Joshua injured in Nigeria car crash, with two others dead

British heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua has been injured in a car crash in Nigeria, which killed two members of his team.

The former world champion was a passenger in a Lexus SUV that collided with a stationary truck on a major expressway in Ogun State, near Lagos.

The two men who died were Joshua's close friends and team members Sina Ghami and Latif "Latz" Ayodele, the boxer's promoter Matchroom Boxing said in a statement.

It added that Joshua was in a stable condition in hospital, where he was taken for "checks and treatment" and will remain for observation.

Police Commander Babatunde Akinbiyi of Nigeria's Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE) said early investigations showed the Lexus had been travelling along the highway from Lagos to Sagamu when it "experienced a tyre burst due to excessive speed" and then "lost control".

Mr Akinbiyi said Joshua and the driver were rescued from the wreckage and taken to a hospital in Sagamu for medical treatment.

The two other passengers - Mr Ghami and Mr Ayodele - were pronounced dead at the scene, Mr Akinbiyi added.

In a statement Matchroom said: "Our deepest condolences and prayers are with the families and friends of all those affected - and we ask that their privacy is respected at this incredibly difficult time."

The group's chair, boxing promoter Eddie Hearn, paid tribute to the "two great men" who were killed in the crash. "Rest in eternal peace Sina and Latz. My thoughts and deepest prayers are with everyone," he said.

Boxing expert Steve Bunce described Mr Ghami and Mr Ayodele as "two of Joshua's closest friends" and as "massive parts of the Anthony Joshua machine".

"They've been with him, if not from the start, at least very early on. Latz is AJ's personal trainer and Sina is his strength and conditioning man. They are with him all the time," Bunce told BBC Radio 5 Live.

Hours before the crash, Joshua posted a video to Instagram of himself and Mr Ayodele playing table tennis. Mr Ghami had recently posted on social media from Lagos.

A joint statement from the Ogun and Lagos state governments said Joshua was stable and conscious, and had been in contact with his family.

They said earlier that Joshua had "narrowly escaped death" in the crash, and there will be a "comprehensive investigation" into what happened.

Nigeria's President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said he had spoken to the 36-year-old boxer personally to convey his condolences and wish him a "full and speedy recovery".

"AJ assured me he is receiving the best possible care," he said in a post on X.

The crash took place on the busy Lagos-Ibadan expressway at around 12:00 local time (11:00 GMT) on Monday.

Pictures shared by Nigeria's Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) showed a wrecked car at the site of the crash, with a crowd of onlookers gathered around.

Local officials said Joshua and another man - the vehicle's driver - were rescued by the boxer's security team.

Ogun and Lagos state governments said Joshua and another passenger were "immediately evacuated to a specialised medical facility in Lagos".

The Lagos-Ibadan expressway is known as one of Nigeria's deadliest roads, with particularly heavy traffic at this time of year as many Nigerians living abroad visit for the festive period.

Joshua, who was born in Watford, has family roots in Sagamu - a town in Ogun State, south-west Nigeria, near the crash site.

He had been spending time in the country following his recent victory over American YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul on 19 December.

Paul posted on X after the crash: "Life is much more important than boxing. I am praying for the lost lives, AJ and anyone impacted by today's unfortunate accident."

A relative of Joshua's in Nigeria, who asked not to be named, told the BBC that news of the crash came as a "shock" to the family.

They said they were hoping for his "speedy recovery" and offered prayers for those who died in the crash.

The family member confirmed that Joshua was travelling from Lagos to Ogun State when the accident happened. His family had been expecting him to join them in Sagamu for New Year celebrations.

The boxer's family is well known in the town and traces its ancestry there across several generations.

There are plans to build a new indoor boxing venue named after Joshua in Ogun, where the boxer is a sports ambassador.

Tributes have poured in for the two members of Joshua's team who were killed in the crash.

Ghami had been Joshua's full-time strength and conditioning coach for more than 10 years, helping him prepare for major clashes of his career including this month's defeat of Jake Paul.

He also co-founded the London-based gym Evolve. The gym said it will close on 30 December "as we mourn the loss of our beloved owner".

By Makuochi Okafor and Ian Aikman, BBC

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AFCON 2025: Nigeria beat Tunisia 3-2 win to seal knockout spot

Nigeria’s Super Eagles on Saturday defeated the Tunisian national team 3-2 in the second match in Group C at the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

In the thrilling encounter, held at the Complexe Sportif de Fes, Morocco, Nigerian leading striker, Victor Osimhen opened scoring on the stroke of half-time, heading home Ademola Lookman’s perfect cross after the Super Eagles missed several scoring chances earlier in the game.

Captain Wilfred Ndidi doubled Nigeria’s lead five minutes into the second half, when he nodded home Lookman’s in swinging corner to score his team’s second goal.

With two assists in the game, Lookman capped his brilliant display with Nigeria’s 3rd goal in the 67th minute after an assist from Osimhen to put the Super Eagles firmly in control of the game.

Tunisia pulled one goal back in the 74th minute through Montassar Talbi’s header, before Ali Abdi converted a late penalty to set up a tense finish.

The Super Eagles, however, held on for their second consecutive win of the tournament, confirming their place in the AFCON 2025 round of 16.

The Super Eagles had in their first match of the tournament defeated Tanzania 2-1. The Nigerian team has 6 points from two matches and will play with Uganda on Tuesday for the third match in the knockout stage of the tournament.

APA News