Uganda striker Uche Ikpeazu has reflected on his physical duel with Fulham defender Calvin Bassey following the Super Eagles' 3-1 victory over the Cranes in Morocco. 

Ikpeazu, who led Uganda's attack, faced a tough challenge against Bassey, who featured for 45 minutes before being replaced by Chidozie Awaziem at the start of the second half. 

The St. Johnstone forward admitted the Nigeria centre-back made life difficult for him during the opening period of the game.

“He played for 45 minutes. Yeah, it was a good battle, he is a good defender, very strong, lots to learn,” he told Elegbete TV Sports. 

The 30-year-old acknowledged the difficulty of the contest, especially after Uganda were reduced to ten men late in the match.

“I have done the best I could, it was a really tough game especially going down to ten men in the end,” he said. 

Ikpeazu described the defeat as a valuable learning experience for the Cranes, admitting that Nigeria’s superior quality ultimately decided the game.

“But it is a learning curve, that's the level you want to play at, you know they got top players internationally. What can we do?”

The striker felt Uganda competed well in the early stages but conceded that the Super Eagles’ class told as the game progressed.

“I tried my best, the team tried our best but we fell short. I think quality showed on their side,” Ikpeazu noted. 

“I felt like in the first half we were in the game, in the end the quality showed, so we are longer in the competition, I will be rooting for Nigeria now.”

He added that Uganda must use the experience as motivation to improve.

“We need to try and aspire to be like them, you know. And try to improve and show our quality. But we tried but we just felt short.”

“These are the learning curves, you learn from it. Just try and be better. Obviously for me, try and play regularly and keep myself fit, just try and be better. That's what we can do, under this coach we are learning and improving.”

Ikpeazu also revealed his long-standing relationship with Super Eagles winger Bright Osayi-Samuel and confirmed he exchanged shirts with Victor Osimhen after the match.

“Bright Osayi-Samuel, I have known him for over a decade. We speak here and there and obviously I have a conversation with Victor and also we exchanged shirts,” he added. 

Explaining his decision to represent Uganda instead of Nigeria, Ikpeazu pointed to the depth of attacking talent available to the Super Eagles.

‘He wished the best and stuff which were really nice. He is a top striker. Why didn't I pick Nigeria? You got strikers like Victor Osimhen, it is hard.”

Despite Uganda’s exit, Ikpeazu insisted the team could leave the competition with pride.

“I wish them all the best and we go out with our heads held high because we have done the best we can,” he concluded. 

Ikpeazu scored once during the tournament, netting the equaliser in Uganda’s 1–1 draw against Tanzania in their second group game.

Adeyemi Adewale