NFF Insider Provides Definitive Update on Eric Chelle's Super Eagles Future
A high-ranking insider within the Nigeria Football Federation has delivered a crucial update regarding the future of Eric Chelle as the head coach of the Super Eagles, effectively addressing the swirling exit rumors that have dominated recent football discussions. The insider confirmed that Chelle is expected to remain in his position and fulfill the remainder of his contractual obligations, despite intense speculation about his potential departure following mixed results in major tournaments.
Contractual Stability Amidst Performance Scrutiny
Eric Chelle was officially appointed by the NFF on January 7, 2025, signing a two-year contract with the primary mandate of revitalizing Nigeria's 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign. While the Super Eagles showed initial promise under his leadership, the team ultimately fell short in the critical African playoff final, suffering a heartbreaking penalty shootout defeat to DR Congo in Morocco. This failure to secure World Cup qualification naturally fueled rumors that Chelle might be relieved of his duties, especially considering this was his central objective.
However, the NFF opted to retain the coach, who then guided the team to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. At AFCON 2025, held in Morocco, Nigeria achieved a respectable third-place finish, defeating Egypt to claim the bronze medal. The team earned widespread praise for displaying some of the most attractive and attacking football seen throughout the entire tournament. Despite this achievement, finishing one place lower than their runner-up position in the 2023 edition led to renewed calls from certain fan factions for a coaching change.
Insider Assurance and Contractual Details
According to reports from Score Nigeria, NFF's technical committee chairman, Sherif Inuwa Ahlan, has provided firm assurances to the federation that Eric Chelle will see out his current contract. "The chairman assured that the Super Eagles coach will honour his contract and so there was no reason to discuss his situation. The committee has already scheduled a meeting with the coach to discuss the way forward for the team," revealed the NFF insider. This statement directly counters the persistent exit rumors.
The situation had been further complicated by reported interest in Chelle's services from other national teams, notably Tunisia and Angola, as well as clubs like Olympique Marseille and Nantes in France's Ligue 1. Amid this uncertainty, it was widely reported that Chelle submitted a comprehensive 19-point proposal to the NFF outlining his conditions for a potential contract extension. A key point in this proposal was a requested monthly salary of $130,000 for himself and his technical staff, a figure that sparked vigorous debate among Nigerian football enthusiasts upon being leaked online.
Immediate Future and Replacement Considerations
With his immediate future now seemingly secured, Eric Chelle is expected to lead the Super Eagles in an upcoming four-nation invitational tournament scheduled for March, featuring matches against Jordan, Iran, and Costa Rica. Reports from OwnGoal Nigeria indicate that the Franco-Malian coach has already submitted his preliminary squad list for these fixtures to the NFF.
Nevertheless, contingency planning appears to be underway. Separate reports suggest that the NFF has identified a US-based Nigerian coach as a potential replacement, should the exit rumors eventually materialize into reality. This indicates that while Chelle is set to continue for now, the federation is monitoring the situation closely and preparing for all eventualities as they aim to build a competitive team for future challenges.
