The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has announced former Malian coach, Éric Chelle as the new Super Eagles coach.
The NFF confirmed Chelle’s appointment on Tuesday, following a recommendation by its Technical and Development Subcommittee and endorsement by the NFF Executive Committee.
The announcement didn’t reveal the terms of the new deal, such as salary and duration.
The 48-year-old will take charge of the Super Eagles immediately, starting with the home-based team’s participation in the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda.
“The Executive Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation has endorsed the recommendation of its Technical and Development Sub-Committee for the appointment of Mr. Éric Sékou Chelle as Head Coach of Nigeria’s senior men’s national football team, Super Eagles.
“At its meeting held in Abuja on Thursday, January 2, 2025, the NFF Technical and Development Sub-Committee recommended the appointment of the former head coach of Mali’s senior men’s national team as the new head coach of the Super Eagles. This recommendation received endorsment from the NFF Executive Committee on Tuesday, January 7,” the NFF said in a statement.
NFF President Ob Eric Chelle’s Role
According to NFF president Gusau, Chelle’s work will begin immediately with the home-based Super Eagles at the 2024 African Nations Championship in Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda. Nigeria will compete with 17 other countries from February 1 to 28.
“We are all concerned and we want whoever takes charge of the team to start immediately, which is why we have a policy that the same coach will manage the CHAN Eagles. So, you cannot have the opportunity to manage a team of home-based players and, at the end of the tournament, come back and tell us that you don’t see one or two players who could be part of the senior national team,” Gusau said.
The Super Eagles B are currently in camp at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne under the guidance of Remo Stars Coach Daniel Ogunmodede, Rangers International’s Fidelis Ilechukwu, and goalkeeper trainer Olatunji Baruwa, who led the team through the qualifiers against Ghana.
Chelle, who earned five caps for Mali’s national team, has also coached clubs such as GS Consolat, FC Martigues, Boulogne, and MC Oran. He has been the head coach of the Aiglons since 2022.
At the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations finals, Chelle’s Mali came very close to a semi-final spot, losing to hosts and eventual winners Ivory Coast 2-1 after extra time, having led by a single goal until the final minute of regulation time.
Another challenge awaiting him will be guiding the Eagles to secure a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals, with the team currently sitting in fifth place in their qualifying group ahead of the next round of matches in March.
