NFF Appoints Eric Chelle As New Super Eagles Coach

Eric Chelle has emerged as the new Super Eagles coach.

Newsone Nigeria reports that the Nigeria Football Federation (NF)F, has confirmed the appointment of Eric Chelle as the new head coach of the senior men’s national team, the Super Eagles.

This online news platform understands that Eric Chelle’s appointment as new Super Eagles coach followed the recommendation of the NFF’s Technical and Development Sub-Committee during its meeting on January 2, 2025, in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.

A statement issued by the Nigerian footballing body on the micro-blogging site, X formerly known as Twitter, said the NFF Executive Committee approved the recommendation today, Tuesday, January 7, 2025.

The statement reads thus; “The Executive Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation has endorsed the recommendation of its Technical and Development Sub-Committee for the appointment of Mr. Éric Sékou Chelle as Head Coach of Nigeria’s senior men national football team, Super Eagles.

“At its meeting held in Abuja on Thursday, 2nd January 2025, the NFF Technical and Development Sub-Committee had recommended the appointment of former Coach of the senior men national team of Mali as the new Head Coach of the Super Eagles. This recommendation was on Tuesday, 7th January endorsed by the NFF Executive Committee.   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.

“The 47-year-old featured for Martigues, Valenciennes, Lens, Istres and Chamois Niortais in France during his playing career.

“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 & 6) taking place in March,” the statement added.

NFF appoints Éric Chelle as Head Coach of the Super Eagles pic.twitter.com/f3riZUo1f9

— The NFF 🇳🇬 (@thenff) January 7, 2025

The new Super Eagles coach previously worked as the head coach of Mali’s senior national team. He has also managed teams like GS Consolat, FC Martigues, Boulogne, and MC Oran.

During his playing career, he represented Martigues, Valenciennes, Lens, Istres, and Chamois Niortais.

Newsone reports that Chelle led Mali to the quarterfinals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, in Côte d’Ivoire. They came very close to qualifying for the semi-finals, losing 2-1 to the eventual champions after extra time.

Before his appointment, Austine Eguavoen was in charge of the Super Eagles after Finidi George resigned from the role, following a series of disappointing results in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, including a draw against South Africa and a loss to Benin Republic.

Chelle’s appointment takes effect effective immediately and he will be tasked with qualifying Nigeria for the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals.