There is a fine line between patience and frustration. For Raphael Onyedika, the Club Brugge midfielder who had watched Nigeria's opening two matches from the bench, that line finally snapped at the Complexe Sportif de Fès.
Given his first start of the tournament against Uganda on Tuesday evening, Onyedika delivered the kind of performance that leaves coaches with selection headaches and supporters wondering what might have been. Two goals, both clinical, both demonstrating the composure that has made him one of the Jupiler Pro League's most sought-after midfielders.
Nigeria's 3-1 victory secured their fourth perfect group stage in AFCON history. But this game will be remembered as Onyedika's coming-out party on the continental stage.
Onuachu breaks the deadlock
The pattern of the match was established early. Nigeria dominated possession, probing through Moses Simon and Samuel Chukwueze on the flanks while Victor Osimhen and Paul Onuachu occupied Uganda's central defenders. The breakthrough came in the 28th minute when Fisayo Dele-Bashiru picked out Onuachu with a low cross, and the towering striker made no mistake from close range.
Uganda, already eliminated from the tournament after picking up just one point from their opening two matches, showed glimpses of spirit but lacked the cutting edge to truly trouble Francis Uzoho in the Nigerian goal.
Red card changes everything
The contest was effectively decided in the second half when Uganda goalkeeper Salim Magoola was shown a straight red card for illegally stopping an attack well outside his penalty area. With 40-year-old Denis Onyango already on the pitch, Uganda were forced to bring on their third-choice keeper, Alionzi, as the Cranes scrambled to reorganize.
Nigeria smelled blood. Five minutes after the red card, Onyedika collected a clever pass from Chukwueze inside the area and fired home. Just five minutes later, he struck again, tucking a low drive through the legs of the unfortunate Alionzi after a rapid counter-attack initiated by Onuachu.
Before the match, head coach Eric Chelle had been pressed on why Onyedika had yet to feature. According to Daily Post Nigeria, Chelle's response was telling: "Many players, like Raphael Onyedika, are really good and deserve to be on this team. Every time I have to make a decision, I can honestly say they deserve a chance to play."
Uganda salvage pride
Rogers Mato's late goal, a deft finish after Allan Okello threaded him through, gave Uganda something to show for their efforts. It was scant consolation for a Cranes side that departs Morocco having failed to register a single victory, their winless run at AFCON now stretching to five matches.
Prior to the tournament, Uganda defender Jordan Obita had spoken about the privilege of facing Nigeria's stars. "Playing against Nigeria is really good," he said, per Punch Nigeria. "As a player, it's our dream to play against the best players. We will give our best to stand a chance to get a result."
The dream turned into something of a nightmare, but there is no shame in losing to a Nigeria side that now looks genuinely capable of going deep in this tournament.
What next for Nigeria?
The Super Eagles head into the knockout rounds with momentum, depth, and options. Onyedika's performance adds another dimension to Chelle's midfield choices, complementing the likes of Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, and Frank Onyeka.
Nigeria will face a third-placed side from Group A, B, or F in the round of 16 on January 5, back at this same stadium in Fes. They have won all three group games by a combined scoreline of 8-4, scoring in nine consecutive AFCON matches.
For Onyedika, the wait is over. For Nigeria's rivals, a warning has been issued.