Uganda striker Uche Ikpeazu has pledged his support for the Super Eagles to go all the way and win the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
The forward, who is of Nigerian descent, featured for 85 minutes as the Cranes suffered a 3–1 defeat to the in-form Super Eagles in Fez on Tuesday, a result that confirmed Uganda’s elimination from the tournament.
Ikpeazu, born to a Nigerian father and a Ugandan mother, had hoped to spring a surprise against Nigeria, but the Super Eagles proved too strong, dismantling the East Africans with a commanding display. The 30-year-old was unable to find the net in the encounter.
Reflecting on the match, the St Johnstone striker admitted Nigeria were deserved winners, acknowledging their superiority across all areas of the pitch. While expressing disappointment with his own performance, Ikpeazu described the experience as an important learning curve for both himself and the Ugandan team.
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“Their quality showed. Some of the goals came from our mistakes, but it is a learning curve,” Ikpeazu told reporters after the match. “We’ve got a very young group, and we’ll learn. I can do better, we can do better. I tried my best, and that’s the main thing.”
The former Middlesbrough forward went on to reveal that he will be backing Nigeria to lift the trophy, praising the quality, humility, and unity within the Super Eagles squad.
“I’ll be supporting Nigeria to win the AFCON. They’re a special group – very tight-knit,” he said. “I’ve been in their changing room, chatting with them, and they are very humble. The togetherness is there. Uganda is an amazing national team, and I love my Ugandan side and my culture here. Sadly, we’re out of the competition, but I wish Nigeria the very best.”
Ikpeazu also described the fixture as one of the most difficult matches of his career, admitting he struggled to impose himself against Nigeria’s well-organised side. He added that the Super Eagles represent the standard Uganda should aspire to reach.
“It’s one of the hardest games of my career, especially in terms of not being able to get into the game as much as I normally do,” he said. “But I did the best I could, and it’s a learning curve. That’s the standard – that’s the level we have to aspire to. It’s a valuable learning experience, not just for me, but for the entire team.”
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