The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) officially introduced Eric Chelle as the new head coach of the Super Eagles on Monday at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja.
The event drew sports enthusiasts and stakeholders eager to welcome the 47-year-old Franco-Malian tactician. Chelle’s appointment, confirmed last Tuesday by the NFF Executive Committee based on a recommendation from its Technical and Development Committee, marks a new chapter for Nigeria’s national team.
NFF President Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau expressed confidence in Chelle’s ability to elevate the Super Eagles’ performance, urging Nigerians to rally behind the new coach.
“We appreciate that Nigerians are very passionate about football, which is why there have been different reactions to Coach Chelle’s appointment,” Gusau stated. “However, we appeal to Nigerians to come together and support him, as we believe he has the qualities to achieve success with the Super Eagles.”
Gusau also assured fans that the NFF would provide Chelle with the necessary support to ensure his success. “The NFF will give him all the backing he needs to excel in this role,” he added.
Chelle’s first test as Super Eagles coach will be guiding the Super Eagles B team at the African Nations Championship in East Africa next month. Following that, he will focus on the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, beginning with matches against Rwanda (away) and Zimbabwe (home) in March.
With a strong coaching pedigree, Chelle brings significant experience to the role. He previously led Mali’s Aiglons to the brink of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals and recently resigned from Algerian club MC Oran, where he managed the 1989 African Champions’ Cup finalists, to accept the Super Eagles job.
