He only spent eleven minutes on the pitch. Jamal Salim Magoola, Uganda’s second goalkeeper, received one of the most surprising red cards seen since the start of the 2025 African Cup of Nations this Tuesday during the match against Nigeria (1-3). Coming into play at the break in place of Denis Onyango, the Cranes’ last starting line of defense, the 30-year-old goalkeeper made a huge blunder in the 56th minute.
But what was going through his mind???
Jamal Salim stops Osimhen’s shot with his hand… outside his area!!!
Logical red card for the 2nd goalkeeper of Uganda who will end the match at 10 pic.twitter.com/pFw4iQTbaT— beIN SPORTS (@beinsports_FR) December 30, 2025
Coming out in front of Victor Osimhen, launched in depth and ready to go face-to-face, Magoola completely disconnected by diverting with his hand the strike of the star striker of the Super Eagles… outside his penalty area. While the attempt seemed to be heading towards the net, the Ugandan goalkeeper was logically sent off for this hand fault, leaving his partners outnumbered shortly before the hour mark.
Nigeria in management
If the score was already 1-0 in favor of Nigeria at the time of this play, the expulsion of Magoola did not do the business of the small East African nation, which ended up conceding two new goals scored by Raphael Onyedika (62nd, 67th).
Despite Rogers Mato’s late score reduction (1-3, 75th), Paul Put’s men did not manage an improbable comeback in the final moments of the game. Last in Group C, they left the competition at the end of the group stage with just one point on the clock, won against Tanzania on December 27 (1-1). A few days earlier, the Cranes lost against Tunisia for their entry into the competition, on December 23 (3-1).
Already qualified and sure of finishing first even before the kick-off of their match against Uganda, the Nigerians were able to turn this Tuesday in Fez. They are now waiting to know the name of their future opponent in the round of 16. It will be the third in Pool F, which will be either Cameroon, Ivory Coast, or Mozambique.
