NFF Appoints Eric Chelle As Super Eagles Head Coach

Éric Sékou Chelle, the former coach of the Eagles of Mali, has been officially appointed as the head coach of Nigeria’s senior men’s national football team, the Super Eagles, by the Nigeria Football Federation.

This decision comes after the Technical and Development Sub-Committee recommended it.

The NFF Technical and Development Sub-Committee suggested at its meeting on Thursday, January 2, in Abuja, that the former coach of Mali’s senior men’s national team be appointed as the Super Eagles’ next head coach.

The NFF Executive Committee approved this recommendation on Tuesday, January 7.

Since 2022, Chelle has served as the head coach of the Aiglons of Mali, having coached teams like GS Consolat, FC Martigues, Boulogne, and MC Oran and winning five cups for the team.

Chelle’s Mali nearly advanced to the semi-finals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Cote d’Ivoire, but they lost 2-1 in extra time to the hosts and eventual winners Cote d’Ivoire, despite leading by a single goal until the last minute of regulation time.

During his playing career, the 47-year-old played for Lens, Istres, Martigues, Valenciennes, and Chamois Niortais in France.

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.