 appoints Eric Chelle as the new head coach of the Super Eagles, tasking him with securing a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals.){kind=link}
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has announced the appointment of Eric Chelle as the new head coach of the Super Eagles. The 47-year-old Malian coach was recommended by the NFF technical and development sub-committee on January 2, and his appointment was endorsed by the federation’s executive committee.
Chelle, who previously coached Mali at the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire, led the team to the quarter-finals, where they were eliminated by the host nation in extra time. He has also managed clubs in the lower tiers of French football, including GS Consolat, FC Martigues, and Boulogne.
As a player, Chelle earned five caps for the Malian senior team and had club stints with Martigues, Valenciennes, Lens, Istres, and Chamois Niortais in France. His appointment takes immediate effect, with the primary objective of leading the Super Eagles to secure a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals.
Chelle’s first challenge will be Nigeria’s next round of qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe in March. The Super Eagles currently sit fifth in Group C and are winless after four games.