The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has appointed Eric Chelle as the new head coach of the Super Eagles.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the NFF announced the selection of the 47-year-old Malian coach.
“The Executive Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation has approved the recommendation from its Technical and Development Sub-Committee to appoint Mr. Éric Sékou Chelle as the Head Coach of Nigeria’s senior men’s national football team, the Super Eagles,” the statement indicated.
During a meeting in Abuja on Thursday, January 2, 2025, the NFF Technical and Development Sub-Committee proposed the appointment of the former head coach of Mali’s national team for the Super Eagles. This recommendation was subsequently ratified by the NFF Executive Committee on Tuesday, January 7.
Chelle’s appointment was put forward by the NFF’s technical and development sub-committee on January 2 and received formal approval from the federation’s executive committee shortly before the public announcement.
Previously, Chelle led Mali’s national team during the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Côte d’Ivoire, where he successfully guided the team to the quarter-finals, only to be eliminated by the host nation in a closely contested extra-time match.
Chelle’s initial significant challenge will arise in March, as the Super Eagles prepare for vital qualifying matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe. Currently, Nigeria is positioned fifth in Group C, having not secured a win in their first four matches.
