AFCON team forced to use THREE goalkeepers in bizarre scenes during defeat to Nigeria

Uganda were eliminated from the Africa Cup of Nations after a madcap 3-1 defeat to Nigeria saw them use THREE goalkeepers.

Paul Put’s men finished rock bottom of Group C having failed to secure the victory that would have kept their tournament alive.

AFP

The Cranes should have fancied their chances of upsetting a rotated Super Eagles side, who already secured top spot in the knockout stage.

Nigerian coach Eric Chelle made eight changes from his starting XI for his side’s win against Tunisia, but it made little negative impact.

The Super Eagles took the lead inside half-hour as ex-Southampton man Paul Onuachu ended a four-year international goal drought.

The now-Trabzonspor striker, who was relegated twice with Saints, struck into an open goal before chaos unfolded.

Uganda use THREE keepers in same match

Uganda’s 40-year-old goalkeeper, Denis Onyango, suffered an ankle injury and managed to play through the pain barrier until the break.

However, his second-half replacement, Salim Jamal Magoola, was on the pitch for just 11 minutes before he was shown a red card.

Uganda’s substitute goalkeeper had lost his place in the team, having conceded three during the Cranes’ 3-1 opening loss to Tunisia.

And the 30-year-old rubber-stamped his horror AFCON by receiving his marching orders to all-but seal his country’s fate.

Magoola was red carded for a bizarre incident in which he used his hands to stop Victor Osimhen well outside of his area.

AFP

AFP

Uganda then had little choice but to turn to third-choice keeper Nafian Alionzi, but it took just six minutes before he conceded.

Club Brugge midfielder Raphael Onyedika doubled Nigeria’s lead by firing underneath the Ethiopian Premier League player.

Onyedika added a second five minutes later after linking up with Fulham‘s Samuel Chukwueze to compound Uganda’s misery.

The East Africans were offered a late lifeline when Rogers Mato pulled one back, but it proved to be too little too late.

Uganda have now been eliminated from AFCON with just one point to extend their winless run at the competition to six matches.

Nigeria, meanwhile, will take on one of Mozambique, Cameroon or the Ivory Coast, with Tunisia and Tanzania also progressing.