Uganda vs Nigeria: Prediction, Lineups, Kickoff Time | AFCON 2025

On: December 27, 2025 10:52 PM

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Uganda vs Nigeria — Match Preview

A pivotal Group Stage clash awaits at the Complexe Sportif de Fès on Sunday, 28 December 2025. The Super Eagles of Nigeria enter Matchday 2 in high spirits after a hard-fought 2–1 victory over Tanzania in their opener, placing them 2nd in the group. They know a win here virtually guarantees a spot in the Round of 16. On the other side, the Uganda Cranes are in a precarious position. After suffering a 1–3 defeat to Tunisia, they sit bottom of the group (4th). Uganda must avoid defeat to keep their destiny in their own hands, but history is surprisingly on their side—they are unbeaten in their last two meetings against the African giants.

Uganda vs Nigeria — Match Info

Competition: Africa Cup of Nations 2025 (Group Stage – Matchday 2)
Venue: Complexe Sportif de Fès, Fès (Capacity: 45,000)
Date: Sunday, 28 December 2025
Kickoff: 20:00 GMT | 21:00 WAT | 23:00 EAT
Referee: TBC (CAF Appointment)

Uganda vs Nigeria — Match Stakes

Uganda (4th — 0 pts):

Win → Moves to 3 pts; blows the group wide open and restores qualification hopes.
Draw → Keeps them alive (1 pt) but leaves them needing a win against Tanzania in the final game.
Loss → Disaster; 0 points from 2 games would likely mean elimination unless math miracles occur.

Nigeria (2nd — 3 pts):

Win → Moves to 6 pts; secures qualification to the Knockout Stages (likely Top 2).
Draw → Moves to 4 pts; strong position but delays confirmation of qualification.
Loss → Complicates matters; drops them into a dogfight on the final matchday against Tunisia.

Uganda vs Nigeria — Team News

Uganda:

Mutyaba T. — Available (Bright spark vs Tunisia)
Mugabi B. — Available (Defensive leader)
Aucho K. — Available (Captain & Midfield anchor)
Tactical Tweak: After conceding 3 goals vs Tunisia, coach Paul Put may switch to a more conservative back five to contain Nigeria’s attack.

Nigeria:

Osimhen V. — Available (Expected to start)
Lookman A. — Available (Key creator)
Nwabali S. — Available (Starting GK)
Injury Update: No major injuries reported from the Tanzania win. Squad rotation is unlikely as qualification is not yet secured.

Uganda vs Nigeria — Team Form (Last 5 Matches)

Uganda

24/12 — 1–3 vs Tunisia (AFCON)
19/11 — 0–4 vs Morocco (Friendly)
14/11 — 2–1 vs Chad (Friendly)
14/10 — 1–2 vs Algeria (WC Qualifier)
09/10 — 1–0 vs Botswana (WC Qualifier)

Nigeria

23/12 — 2–1 vs Tanzania (AFCON)
16/12 — 1–2 vs Egypt (Friendly)
17/11 — 1–2 vs D.R. Congo (WC Qualifier)
13/11 — 4–1 vs Gabon (WC Qualifier)
14/10 — 4–0 vs Benin (WC Qualifier)

Uganda vs Nigeria — Head-to-Head (Last 3 Meetings)

20/11/2018 — Nigeria 0–0 Uganda (Friendly)
25/03/2015 — Nigeria 0–1 Uganda (Friendly)
14/03/1978 — Uganda 2–1 Nigeria (AFCON)
Talking Point: Uganda has historically been a “bogey team” for Nigeria, winning 2 and drawing 1 of the last 3 listed meetings.

Uganda vs Nigeria — Playing XI (Predicted Lineups)

Uganda (5-4-1)

Watenga; Semakula, Mugabi, Lwaliwa, Awany, Kayondo; Mato, Aucho, Byaruhanga, Mutyaba; Bayo

Nigeria (4-2-3-1)

Nwabali; Aina, Ekong, Bassey, Sanusi; Ndidi, Onyeka; Chukwueze, Iwobi, Lookman; Osimhen

Uganda vs Nigeria — Impact Bench

Uganda: Okello (Creativity), Mukwala (Goal threat)

Nigeria: Boniface (Physical chaos), Simon (Pace on wing)

Uganda vs Nigeria — Tactical Analysis

Uganda

The Cranes cannot afford to be open. Against Tunisia, they were punished for defensive lapses. Expect them to sit in a low block, clog the central areas, and force Nigeria wide. Their best hope lies in set-pieces or quick transitions through Travis Mutyaba’s dribbling.

Nigeria

The Super Eagles have immense firepower but can be frustrated by disciplined defenses. They will dominate possession (likely 60%+). The key will be moving the ball quickly to unsettle Uganda’s shape. Lookman and Chukwueze will look to isolate Uganda’s wing-backs 1v1, while Osimhen will occupy the three center-backs physically.

Uganda vs Nigeria — Key Battles

Mugabi vs Osimhen — Physical battle; Mugabi must not get turned.
Aucho vs Iwobi — Battle for midfield space; Aucho needs to deny Iwobi time on the ball.
Kayondo vs Chukwueze — Pace mismatch on the flank.
Watenga vs The Nigerian Attack — GK needs a Man of the Match performance.

Uganda vs Nigeria — Spotlight Players

Uganda — Travis Mutyaba

The youngster is the creative heartbeat of this Ugandan side. If they are to score, it will likely come from his ability to beat a man or thread a pass.

Nigeria — Victor Osimhen

The African Player of the Year is the obvious danger. His movement in the box is elite, and after a tight game vs Tanzania, he will be hungry to add to his goal tally.

Uganda vs Nigeria — Prediction

Uganda 0–2 Nigeria

While Uganda has a surprisingly good historical record against Nigeria, current form tells a different story. Uganda have conceded 7 goals in their last 2 matches (vs Tunisia and Morocco). Nigeria’s attack is simply too potent for a porous defense. The Super Eagles should have enough quality to break down the Cranes and book their ticket to the next round.