• NFF unveils new coach today 

Newly appointed Super Eagles coach, Eric Chelle, has declared that he could not refuse the ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity offered him by Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to handle the senior national team.

The French was engaged by the NFF last week to be the next Super Eagles head coach following the resignation of Finidi George last year. He will be unveiled to the Nigerian public today in Abuja.

Chelle, a former Ligue 1 star and ex-coach of the Eagles of Mali, led his club, MC Oran of Algeria, to a 1-0 defeat of USM Setif in the Algerian Cup in his final game. He declared in his post-match press conference he was heading to Nigeria.

“This is my last meeting with you, and it marks the ]end of my adventure here,” he said. “From Monday (today), I will be in Nigeria to start a new chapter.

“I would have loved to continue here in Algeria, but one cannot refuse to lead the Super Eagles, which is one of the best teams in Africa and the world.

“I thank the Hamraoua fans, the inhabitants of Oran and all Algerians for their welcome and their support. The MCO will always have a special place in my heart,” Chelle said.  Chelle has a UEFA Pro Licence and was appointed coach of MC Oran last October.

Meanwhile, the NFF will present Chelle to the public today, in Abuja, as the new head coach of the Super Eagles. The event will hold at the Media Conference Room of the MKO Abiola Stadium, by 11.00 a.m.

Chelle’s appointment was confirmed on Tuesday by the NFF Executive Committee, following a recommendation by the football ruling body’s Technical and Development Committee.

NFF President, Ibrahim Musa Gusau, said that the Franco-Malian embodies the fresh energy, new thinking and positive attitude with which the Federation desire the Super Eagles to confront their remaining six matches in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.

“We appreciate the fact that Nigerians are very passionate about the game of football, and that is the reason for the different tones of reactions following the appointment of Coach Chelle.

“However, the NFF hereby appeals to Nigerians to come together and support him, as we believe he has the qualities to succeed with the Super Eagles. The NFF will give him all the support that he needs to succeed in the job,” Gusau stated.

At today’s unveiling ceremony, the NFF is expected to disclose the names of Coach Chelle’s assistants, with the crew to shepherd the Super Eagles B team at next month’s African Nations Championship (CHAN) in East Africa, before focusing squarely on the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, beginning with the matches against Rwanda (away) and Zimbabwe (home) in March.

Chelle took Mali’s Aiglons within breathing distance of the last Africa Cup of Nations, where they lost to the host nation, Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire, in the semifinals.