Raphael Onyedika, the star of the show for Nigeria in their comprehensive victory over Uganda, has spoken openly, detailing his past and present state with the team.

Onyedika had to wait for his time to come before hitting the headlines when the opportunity presented itself.

Following his brace for the Super Eagles, in their 3-1 win over the Cranes of Uganda. Raphael Onyedika wants to do more.

The 24-year-old has functioned from the bench for the majority of his early years with Nigeria and he is unhappy with that status.

However, Onyedika acknowledged the selection headache coaches have to regularly deal with and emphasized the need for readiness when called upon.

Raphael Onyedika said: “No player is happy sitting on the bench, but at the same time there are a lot of players in the squad and the coach has to select eleven players. It's all about being ready when the coach needs you as a sub or starter.”

The Club Brugge midfielder also expressed how he felt after his impactful performance for Nigeria against Uganda.

Onyedika shared: “It felt very good, it's a feeling that every footballer knows how it feels to score not one but two goals in a big competition like this, so it feels very amazing.”

Additionally, Raphael Onyedika expressed that he has to buy a gift for AC Milan attacker Samuel Chukwueze, who has assisted all the three goals he has scored for Nigeria.

His previous goal for the Nigeria national team came on June 10, 2024, in a 2-1 loss to Benin in the qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Onyedika earned his first cap for the Super Eagles on September 27 2022, in a 2-1 defeat against Algeria, with the ex-FC Midtjylland man featuring from the bench.

Raphael Onyedika has gone on to play nineteen times for the Nigeria national team, scoring three goals and providing one assist.

Nigeria lock horns with Mozambique in their last-16 fixture at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, and Raphael Onyedika is expected to return to his familiar bench role for that encounter, even though the selection headache remains with head coach Eric Chelle.