NFF appoints Eric Chelle as Super Eagles coach

As earlier disclosed by the former President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, the Executive Committee of the body yesterday endorsed the recommendation of its Technical and Development Sub-Committee for the appointment of Éric Sekou Chelle as Head Coach of the 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 Coach of the senior men’s national team of Mali as the new Head Coach of the Super Eagles.

Chelle, who won five caps for the Aiglons of Mali and coached clubs such as GS Consolat, FC Martigues, Boulogne and MC Oran, has been Head Coach of the Aiglons since 2022.

At the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Cote d’Ivoire, Chelle’s Mali came very close to a place in the semi-finals, losing to hosts and eventual winners Cote d’Ivoire 2-1 after extra time, after leading by a lone goal until the final minute of regulation time.

During his playing career, the 47-year-old featured for Martigues, Valenciennes, Lens, Istres and Chamois Niortais in Francer. His appointment is with immediate effect, and he has the responsibility of guiding the Super Eagles to earn a ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals, with the next round of matches (Matchdays 5 and 6) in March.

The Super Eagles currently occupy the fifth position in the group that has Rwanda and South Africa in first and second place respectively. It was not clear yesterday, if interim coach of the Super Eagles Augustine Eguavoen will be drafted to the Super Eagles team B, which is preparing in Ikenne, Ogun State, for the African Nations Championships (CHAN).