Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, explained that the clash against Uganda gave him the opportunity to experiment with his squad after qualification had already been secured.
Nigeria had booked a place in the round of 16 before their final Group C match, allowing Chelle to reshuffle his team for the encounter with Uganda.
The coach made eight changes to the starting XI from the previous game against Tunisia, retaining only Calvin Bassey, Bruno Onyemaechi and captain Victor Osimhen.
Francis Uzoho, Ryan Alebiosu, Igoh Ogbu, Raphael Onyedika, Moses Simon, Samuel Chukwueze, Paul Onuachu and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru were all handed starting roles.
The Super Eagles responded with a convincing 3-1 victory, powered by a brace from Onyedika and a goal from Onuachu.
Reflecting on the match during his post-game press conference, Chelle said, “Today it was a game to change and try to do another thing and in happy with the three goals but again we have to improve if we want to be ambitious.
“I’m happy with the performance of a lot of players in this team, the whole group.
“So now they’re giving me a really bad headache because I have to make choices; I have a lot of choices to make.
“That’s it, they proved to everyone that this is not a team of eleven players, that it is a group. So, that’s fine.
“The training sessions are going to be with a lot of intensity, and now it’s up to me to make the right choices.”
The result underlined the depth within the Super Eagles squad as they prepare for the knockout stage.
