Nigeria, Dec. 5 -- With the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations just days away, Super Eagles centre-back Chidozie Awaziem has delivered one of the boldest declarations from the Nigerian camp: Nigeria must win AFCON; nothing else matters.

The 2025 tournament, billed for 21 December to 18 January in Morocco, arrives at a turbulent moment for Nigerian football.

The country is still reeling from the emotional wreckage of missing the 2026 FIFA World Cup twice.

After stumbling through the qualifiers and failing again in the playoffs, pressure on the Super Eagles has never been higher.

Now under new head coach Eric Chelle, the mission is brutally simple: redeem a wounded football nation.

Named in the recently released 55-man provisional squad, Chido...