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Raphael Onyedika is a Nigerian international footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Club Brugge in the Belgian Pro League and the Nigeria national team, the Super Eagles. Born on April 19, 2001, Onyedika is widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s most disciplined and tactically intelligent midfielders, known for ball recovery, positional awareness, and progressive passing.
He is trending following a standout performance for Nigeria in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group C clash against Uganda, where he delivered his most decisive display in a Super Eagles shirt.
Why Raphael Onyedika Is Trending
Ejes Gist News reports that Onyedika was named official Man-of-the-Match after scoring two goals in Nigeria’s 3–1 victory over Uganda in the final Group C fixture played in Fes, Morocco.
The performance marked a rare attacking contribution from the defensive midfielder and placed him at the center of post-match discussions across Nigerian and African football circles.
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Key Highlights From Nigeria vs Uganda
- Onyedika scored two second-half goals
- Both goals were assisted by Samuel Chukwueze
- Nigeria finished Group C with a perfect nine points
- The Super Eagles topped the group with maximum points
- Onyedika now has three international goals for Nigeria
Man-of-the-Match Recognition
With the award, Onyedika became:
- The third Nigerian player to win Man-of-the-Match in the group stage
- Following:
- Semi Ajayi (vs Tanzania)
- Ademola Lookman (vs Tunisia)
The recognition further strengthens his growing reputation as a key component of Nigeria’s midfield structure under competitive tournament pressure.
Onyedika’s Role in the Super Eagles
Although primarily deployed as a defensive midfielder, Onyedika’s performance against Uganda highlighted his ability to:
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- Arrive late in attacking positions
- Capitalize on second-ball situations
- Maintain defensive discipline while contributing offensively
His display underscored Nigeria’s midfield depth and tactical flexibility heading into the AFCON knockout stages.
Uganda’s Unwanted AFCON Record
The match also produced an unusual statistic for Uganda. The Cranes became the first team in AFCON history to use three goalkeepers in a single match.
How It Happened
- Denis Onyango started the match but exited due to injury
- He was replaced by Salim Magoola
- Magoola was red-carded for handling a goal-bound effort from Victor Osimhen
- Uganda was forced to introduce third-choice goalkeeper Nafianz Alionzi
The sequence significantly disrupted Uganda’s defensive organization and contributed to Nigeria’s dominance.
Why the Performance Matters
Onyedika’s Man-of-the-Match display is significant because:
- Defensive midfielders rarely dominate goal-scoring narratives
- It demonstrated Nigeria’s ability to score from midfield
- It reinforced Onyedika’s status as a dependable big-game player
- It added tactical unpredictability to Nigeria’s attacking approach
As Nigeria advances into the knockout phase of the 2025 AFCON, Raphael Onyedika’s form and versatility are expected to remain central to the Super Eagles’ ambitions.
