Curiosity at the Africa Cup
National team must use three goalkeepers in a game
December 31, 2025 – 3:02 p.mReading time: 1 min.
Uganda suffered a significant defeat against Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations. The team even had to rely on the third goalkeeper.
They had probably imagined this game to be completely different: Uganda suffered a significant defeat against Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations. In the end it was 1:3 against the favorites – the result meant the tournament exit for Uganda.
However, the result also came about due to a curiosity, as Uganda lost two goalkeepers during the game. The reason: regular goalkeeper Denis Onyango had to be replaced injured at half-time when the score was 0-1. Omar Salim Jamal Magoola took over for him between the posts.
But just ten minutes after coming on, Magoola made an extremely unfortunate move. He stormed out of his box when he received a through ball to Nigeria’s superstar striker Victor Osimhen. He brilliantly parried the attacker’s shot with his hand – but outside the penalty area. For this he saw the red card.
So Uganda had to substitute third goalkeeper Nafian Alionzi. Just a few minutes later he conceded his first goal to make it 0-2. Another one was to follow just five minutes later in the 67th minute. In the 75th minute, Uganda was able to score a consolation goal. The country takes last place in Group C behind Nigeria, Tunisia and Tanzania and is therefore out.
