Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has appoints Eric Chelle As New Head Coach

 

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has appointed Eric Chelle as the new head coach of the Super Eagles. The announcement was made in a statement by the NFF on Tuesday.

Chelle, a 47-year-old Malian, was recommended for the position by the NFF's technical and development sub-committee on January 2. The federation's executive committee approved the recommendation just hours before the official announcement.

This appointment marks a historic moment as Chelle becomes the first non-Nigerian African to take charge of the Super Eagles.

Previously, Chelle served as Mali's head coach during the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) held in Cote d'Ivoire, where he led the team to the quarter-finals. Unfortunately, Mali was eliminated by the hosts in extra time. Chelle's reaction to the defeat became one of the tournament's most memorable moments, as he was visibly distressed, requiring his assistants to douse him with water to help him recover.

Before joining the Malian national team in 2022, Chelle managed several clubs in the lower divisions of French football, including GS Consolat, FC Martigues, and Boulogne. As a player, he earned five caps for Mali's senior national team and played for French clubs such as Martigues, Valenciennes, Lens, Istres, and Chamois Niortais.

Chelle's appointment takes effect immediately, and he faces the significant challenge of leading the Super Eagles to secure a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals. His first assignment will be the upcoming qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe in March. Nigeria currently sits fifth in Group C of the qualifiers and has yet to secure a win after four matches.