They say in tournament football, you don’t knock on the door of the starting eleven; you break it down. On Tuesday night in Fez, Raphael Onyedika didn’t just break the door down—he took it off the hinges and remodeled the house.
For the better part of AFCON 2025, the Club Brugge standout had been the Super Eagles’ “forgotten man.” Despite a blistering domestic campaign in Belgium, the 24-year-old found himself relegated to the role of a high-profile spectator, watching from the dugout as the established tandem of Wilfred Ndidi and Alex Iwobi dictated the tempo.
That narrative didn’t just shift against Uganda; it was completely rewritten.
By the Numbers: A “Fever Dream” Performance
Handed a rare start by manager Eric Chelle in Nigeria’s final Group C fixture, Onyedika produced a statistical anomaly that felt more like a video game simulation than a high-stakes international match.
Statistic Performance vs. Uganda
Goals 2
Pass Accuracy 97% (70/72)
Long Balls 6/6 (100%)
Touches 77
Ball Recoveries 6
Beyond the goals, it was his tactical intelligence that stunned the Cranes. Onyedika acted as Nigeria’s metronome, effortlessly bypassing Uganda’s press and threading six clinical passes into the final third. Defensively, he served as an iron shield for a rotated backline, providing Ryan Alebiosu and Igoh Ogbu the security needed to thrive in their tournament debuts.
As the Super Eagles pivot toward the Round of 16, Eric Chelle faces the ultimate coaching paradox: how do you bench a player who just delivered a 10/10 performance?
The return of Ndidi and Iwobi offers the comfort of experience and proven chemistry. They are the bedrock of Nigeria’s perfect group-stage run. However, football is a game of momentum, and Onyedika currently possesses the hottest hand in the camp.
“For now, I have a little pain in my head on who to choose because everyone in this team can play,” Chelle admitted post-match, acknowledging the selection crisis he now faces.
The Conservative Route: Return to the veteran pairing of Ndidi and Iwobi, prioritizing defensive stability and tournament “know-how” for the knockout rounds.
The Meritocracy: Start Onyedika. This rewards current form and keeps the “hot hand” on the pitch, though it risks disrupting the established team hierarchy.
The Tactical Shift: Pivot to a midfield three. Integrating Onyedika alongside Ndidi and Iwobi could provide Nigeria with a terrifying blend of industry, creativity, and goal-scoring threat from deep.
One thing is undeniable: Onyedika has ended the debate regarding his readiness for the big stage. He has done his part with ruthless efficiency. Now, the spotlight shifts to the dugout. The ball is in Eric Chelle’s court.
