Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign has been hit by fresh injury concerns after debutant Ryan Alebiosu and forward Cyriel Dessers were both left doubtful for the remainder of the tournament following the Super Eagles’ 3-1 victory over Uganda in Fez.
An update released shortly after the match on Tuesday by Super Eagles media officer Promise Efoghe confirmed that Alebiosu sustained a deep cut on his right leg, with uncertainty surrounding his availability for the rest of the competition.
Dessers, meanwhile, is said to be nursing a thigh problem and is scheduled to undergo a scan to determine the extent of the injury.
The setbacks came on a night Nigeria rounded off a perfect Group C campaign with maximum points, as a much-changed side overcame Uganda to secure top spot and book a place in the round of 16.
Paul Onuachu opened the scoring in the 28th minute, rising to meet a delivery from the left by Fisayo Dele-Bashiru just moments after veteran goalkeeper Denis Onyango had denied him from close range. Nigeria had dominated the opening exchanges, with Samuel Chukwueze and Simon Moses both going close as the Super Eagles pressed for an early breakthrough.
Uganda threatened briefly after the interval, but Nigeria regained control and doubled their lead in the 62nd minute when Raphael Onyedika, making his first appearance of the tournament, finished calmly after linking up with Chukwueze. The same combination produced Nigeria’s third goal four minutes later, as Onyedika struck again to put the result beyond doubt.
Uganda pulled one back through Rogers Mato with 15 minutes remaining, but it proved little more than a consolation as Nigeria closed out the contest with authority.
The win ensured the Super Eagles finished the group stage with nine points from three matches and set up a round of 16 meeting with the third-placed side from Group F. That opponent will be one of Ivory Coast, Cameroon or Mozambique, with the tie scheduled for Monday, January 5, in Fez.
While attention now turns to the knockout phase, the fitness of Alebiosu and Dessers will be closely monitored as Nigeria await further medical assessments ahead of the decisive stages of the tournament.
