FC Ebedei marked another proud chapter in its storied history as its products, Paul Onuachu and Raphael Onyedika, starred in Nigeria’s commanding 3-1 victory over Uganda at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
The win, secured in Fez on Tuesday, sealed a perfect group-stage campaign for the Super Eagles, who finished with three wins from three matches.
Onuachu and Onyedika were both handed starting roles and delivered performances that underlined FC Ebedei’s enduring contribution to Nigerian football. The Trabzonspor striker opened the scoring in the 28th minute, rising to the occasion with a composed finish that ended a four-year international goal drought.
It was an emotional moment for the lanky forward, whose strike was his first for Nigeria since 2021 and his fourth overall in the famous green and white jersey.
Nigeria took full control after the break, with Onyedika producing a blistering display in midfield. The Club Brugge man struck twice within five minutes, with both goals created by Samuel Chukwueze.
His first came after a surging run through the heart of the Ugandan defence to double Nigeria’s lead. He followed it up moments later, once again latching onto Chukwueze’s precise delivery to make it 3-0 and effectively settle the contest.
Onyedika’s brace took his tally to three goals in his last three competitive starts for the Super Eagles, a return that already surpasses Wilfred Ndidi’s single goal in 52 competitive appearances. His all-round performance earned him the Man of the Match award.
FC Ebedei currently has three graduates at the tournament, with Frank Onyeka of Brentford also part of the Super Eagles squad alongside Onuachu and Onyedika.
Since 1995, FC Ebedei president Barrister Churchill Oliseh has consistently contributed players to Nigeria’s national teams across different levels, playing a role in every major trophy, medal and international accolade won in that period. Today, few Nigerian Premier League sides can claim not to have fielded or benefited from an FC Ebedei graduate.
Founded officially in 1998, with groundwork laid as far back as 1993, the academy’s influence continues to shape Nigerian football.
In one of his often-quoted remarks, Barrister Oliseh once said that the success recorded by Nigeria’s senior and age-grade teams over the last two decades has involved products of FC Ebedei. Performances like those against Uganda continue to give weight to that claim.
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