Éric Chelle Appointed as Super Eagles Head Coach
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has appointed Éric Sékou Chelle as the new Head Coach of the Super Eagles, Nigeria’s senior men’s national football team. This decision was approved by the NFF Executive Committee following a recommendation from its Technical and Development Sub-Committee.
The announcement, made on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, followed a meeting in Abuja. Chelle, a 47-year-old former international for Mali, brings extensive experience as both a player and a coach.
Chelle earned five caps for the Aiglons of Mali during his playing career and later coached notable clubs such as GS Consolat, FC Martigues, Boulogne, and MC Oran. Most recently, he managed Mali’s national team, leading them to the quarter-finals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Côte d’Ivoire. Despite a strong performance, his team narrowly missed a semi-final spot after a 2-1 extra-time loss to the host nation.
During his playing career, Chelle made a name for himself in French football, representing clubs like Martigues, Valenciennes, Lens, Istres, and Chamois Niortais.
As the new Super Eagles coach, Chelle’s immediate challenge is to secure Nigeria’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The crucial Matchdays 5 and 6 qualifiers are scheduled for March.
Chelle’s appointment marks a new era for the Super Eagles, as the team strives to reclaim its dominance in African and global football.
