AFCON
A Goal with Weight: How Paul Onuachu Etched His Name into Nigeria’s AFCON History
By Kunle Solaja.
Towering striker Paul Onuachu may not rank among Nigeria’s most prolific forwards by sheer numbers, but when he scores, history often follows.
In Nigeria’s Group C Africa Cup of Nations clash against Uganda national football team on Tuesday evening in Fes, Onuachu rose to meet the moment — and the ball.
His goal was more than just a contribution in a crucial group match. It was his first-ever Africa Cup of Nations goal, and more significantly, it became Nigeria’s 150th goal in the history of the competition.
For a player who has scored just four goals in 27 appearances for the Nigeria national footballteam, the strike carried a familiar Onuachu signature: timing, consequence, and quiet drama.
Onuachu’s goals for Nigeria have developed a pattern — they arrive when they matter most.
Four years ago, his second international goal came deep into added time against Benin in an AFCON qualifier. That late header sealed a 1–0 victory that did far more than deliver three points. It ended Nigeria’s 497-day winless run, extended the Super Eagles’ unbeaten streak against Benin to 21 matches, and inflicted the Benin Republic’s first home defeat since June 2013.
The timing was ruthless. Scored just seconds before the end of three minutes of added time, it denied Benin a place in the AFCON group stage and stood as one of the latest goals Nigeria have scored in recent international history.
That sense of dramatic punctuality was present again in Fes. Uganda resisted for long spells, but when the opening came, Onuachu — built more like a basketball power forward than a classic striker — provided the decisive touch.
Speed, Shock and a Record in Asaba
Ironically, the man known for aerial dominance also owns one of the fastest goals in Nigerian football history.
On 26 March 2019, in a friendly match in Asaba, Onuachu stunned Egypt just eight seconds after kick-off. Fans had barely settled into their seats when he unleashed a thunderous strike that decided the match.
The goal ended Nigeria’s 29-year wait for a victory over Egypt and placed Onuachu in the global record books. His strike was recognised as the second-fastest goal in international football, surpassed only by Lukas Podolski, who scored after six seconds for Germany against Ecuador in 2013.
More Than Numbers
Onuachu may never dominate Nigeria’s all-time scoring charts, but his goals continue to carry weight far beyond statistics. From record-breaking speed to last-gasp heartbreakers, and now a landmark AFCON strike against Uganda, each finish seems stitched into a larger story.
In Fes, his name joined a significant chapter of Nigerian football history — not just as a scorer, but as the man whose boot delivered Nigeria’s 150th Africa Cup of Nations goal. For Paul Onuachu, that is becoming something of a trademark.
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Gael Kakuta scored two goals and laid on another as the Democratic Republic of Congo defeated Botswana 3-0 in their Africa Cup of Nations Group D clash in Rabat on Tuesday, and in doing so set up a last 16 clash with Algeria on January 6.
The Congolese finished level on seven points with Senegal at the top of the standings, but their inferior goal difference means they have to settle for second place in the pool and a meeting with the in-form 2019 winners in the knockout round.
Nathanael Mbuku scored the game’s opener, set up by Kakuta’s backheel pass, before the latter netted a penalty and then a third for his side from close range in a comfortable win.
Botswana were already eliminated from the tournament heading into the match and has now lost all six of their Cup of Nations matches following their second appearance at the continental finals.
DR Congo took the lead on the half-hour mark when Mbuku played a neat one-two with Kakuta, the latter returning the ball with a clever backheel, before Mbuku slotted the ball in at the near post.
The Congolese were then awarded a penalty when Botswana defender Thabo Leinanyane handled the ball from Meschack Elia’s cross, and Kakuta converted the spot-kick.
Kakuta netted his second goal in the 60th minute as he controlled Theo Bongonda’s pass and, under no pressure from the Botswana defence, finished from seven yards.
Congo had the ball in the back of the net again when Fiston Mayele rose to deflect the ball in, but a Video Assistant Referee review suggested he used his arm to direct the ball into the net.
-Reuter
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Ten-man Senegal overcame a gallant Benin 3-0 on Tuesday to finish top of Group D at the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco.
Central defender Abdoulaye Seck put Senegal ahead at halftime, and Habib Diallo and substitute Cherif Ndiaye scored after the break.
Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly was sent off for a clumsy tackle with around 20 minutes left, however, and will be suspended going into the knockout stages.
Senegal finished with seven points, ahead of the Democratic Republic of Congo, who beat Botswana 3-0 in Rabat, on goal difference.
Senegal must now wait to find out the identity of their last-16 opponents who will be either Burkina Faso or Sudan in Tangier on Saturday while Benin, who advance as one of the best third-placed finishers, head to Agadir to face Egypt on Monday.
There was a lengthy VAR check before Seck’s 38th-minute goal was validated, but television replays showed the ball had come off Seck’s elbow rather than his head.
Sadio Mane set up the second for Diallo in the 63rd minute, taking on the Benin defence down the left flank before pulling the ball back for Diallo to sweep home.
Koulibaly was sent off seven minutes later after catching Benin’s Aiyegun Tosin on the back of his heel with a late challenge. Rwandan referee Samuel Uwikunda took several minutes and watched multiple replays on the sideline screen before making the decision to dismiss the Senegal skipper.
Even with the numerical disadvantage, however, Senegal were stronger and 17-year-old substitute Ibrahima Mbaye forced a penalty as he broke away, only to be clipped by Rachid Moumouni. Ndiaye, who had only just come on to the pitch, fired home the spot-kick to make it 3-0.
Benin’s best chance came from a free kick in the last five minutes, which Junior Olaitan struck on target, but Edouard Mendy made a flying save.
Reuters
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By Kunle Solaja.
Nigeria’s possible Round of 16 opponents at the Africa Cup of Nations have narrowed significantly following the conclusion of Groups A and B, with the Super Eagles now set to face one of the third-placed teams from Groups A, B or F.
Having topped Group C with a perfect nine points, Nigeria are due to be paired with a third-placed finisher under the tournament’s knockout-stage format.
In Group A, Comoros finished third with two points and a goal difference of minus two. Group B also produced a third-placed side, with Angola ending the group phase with a superior goal difference of minus one.
Both Comoros and Angola are therefore not in contention to be drawn against Nigeria. As Mozambique already have three points in Group F, even before playing their last group match against Cameroon, slated for Friday, they are the most likely opponents of the Super Eagles in the Round of 16 duel in Fes on January 5.
But Group F remains the final variable in the equation, with its third-placed team yet to be confirmed. The top three positions are still swinging.
Once that group is decided, tournament organisers will finalise the best third-placed table and officially confirm Nigeria’s Round of 16 opponent. Either Côte d’Ivoire or Cameroon could still drop to the third position.
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