Uganda captain and goalkeeper Denis Onyango has admitted that discipline proved decisive in his side’s 3–1 defeat to Nigeria at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
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Speaking after the Group C encounter in Fès, Onyango acknowledged that going down to ten men made an already difficult task even harder against a quality Super Eagles side.
He explained that conceding cheap goals and losing numerical balance exposed Uganda to sustained pressure, which Nigeria capitalized on.
The experienced shot-stopper noted that Uganda were forced to push forward in search of goals, a move that left spaces at the back and played into Nigeria’s strengths.
According to him, the Super Eagles’ composure and physical presence ultimately made the difference.
Despite the loss and Uganda’s exit from the tournament, Onyango praised his teammates for continuing to fight until the final whistle.
He described the match as a valuable learning experience for a relatively young squad, stressing that games at this level demand discipline, concentration and maturity.
Onyango added that facing a team like Nigeria highlighted the fine margins at AFCON, where mistakes are quickly punished. He expressed hope that the lessons learned in Morocco would help Uganda grow and return stronger in future tournaments.
Nigeria finished top of Group C with maximum points and will now face Mozambique in the Round of 16 on 5 January, while Uganda bow out after gaining important experience on the continental stage.
