Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle believes Nigeria’s aim in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) would be motivated by a personal and communal desire for vengeance.

Nigeria has been placed in Group C, where they will face 2004 winners Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania in the group stage.

The Super Eagles, who have won three AFCON titles (1980, 1994, and 2013), are among the tournament’s greatest challengers.

The team is also fueled by the painful memory of their 2-1 loss to Côte d’Ivoire in the 2023 AFCON final – a defeat that still lingers in the minds of both players and fans.

Speaking during a chat with the CAF Media team, Chelle expressed optimism that the squad is determined to go a step further this time

He said: “Yes, it’s going to be difficult to win because there are 24 very good teams and some very good coaches.

“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 are out for revenge. We know what this team is capable of, and our goal is clear—to lift the trophy in Morocco.”

The Super Eagles will kick off their AFCON 2025 campaign against Tanzania’s Taifa Stars in Fez on Tuesday, December 23.

The Super Eagles have been placed in Group C alongside Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania for the next African Nations Cup, which will be held in Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.

The 2025 tournament will be the 35th edition of the competition.

The Super Eagles will be striving for their fourth AFCON trophy, having lost in the finals to host Ivory Coast in the previous tournament.

Tunisia will be Nigeria’s biggest opposition in the group.

The competition will be played in nine stadiums.

Holders Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire are drawn in Group F with Mozambique, Gabon and Cameroon.

Liverpool’s talisman Mohamed Salah has moved up to seventh in the Premier League’s all-time goalscoring charts.

Salah scored in the 35th minute of their 4-1 win over Ipswich Town at Anfield on Saturday.

The 32-year-old has been in inspired form for Arne Slot’s table-topping side this season.

Salah netted his 176th goal in the division and has now moved clear of Thierry Henry (175) and one behind Chelsea legend Frank Lampard (177).

The Egyptian is two goals clear of Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak in the race for the Golden Boot this season.

He has also contributed 13 assists.

Liverpool’s win over Ipswich saw them maintain their six-point lead over second-placed Arsenal at the top of the Premier League.

The forward’s goal also means he is now the second-highest-scoring overseas player in the competition’s history, behind only Sergio Agüero (184).

Alan Shearer is the Premier League’s all-time top scorer with 260 goals.