Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has made it clear that Nigeria’s main goal for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 is to take home the trophy and recover from their disappointing loss in the 2023 final.
In 2023, Nigeria fell short of winning the prestigious continental tournament, losing 2-1 to the hosts, Ivory Coast, in the final. Despite the setback, the team’s aim remains the same – to claim their fourth AFCON title, a feat that has eluded them for years.
Following the AFCON 2025 draw, which placed Nigeria in Group C alongside Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania, Chelle addressed the media with a message of confidence and determination. He noted that while winning the tournament will be a tough challenge due to the presence of many strong teams and top-notch coaches, he believes in his team’s potential to succeed.
“Yes, it’s going to be difficult to win because there are 24 very good teams and some very good coaches,” Chelle said in an interview with CAF Media. “I know I’ve got a team that’s out for revenge, and I’m out for revenge too, so we’re going to have a lot of fun. We know what this team is capable of, and our goal is clear—to lift the trophy in Morocco.”
Chelle’s appointment as head coach of the Super Eagles earlier this month has added a fresh sense of optimism to the squad. Taking over on January 7, Chelle brings with him a wealth of experience, having led Mali to the quarter-finals in the previous AFCON, where they were narrowly defeated by Ivory Coast after extra time.
The AFCON 2025 tournament will be held in Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, in six different cities across the country. Chelle and his team are now focused on preparing for the competition, with hopes of avenging their 2023 defeat and bringing the trophy back to Nigeria after a longwait.
