by Kunle Olaiya
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has officially announced the appointment of Éric Sékou Chelle as the new Head Coach of Nigeria’s Super Eagles. The decision was ratified by the NFF Executive Committee following the recommendation of the Federation’s Technical and Development Sub-Committee.
In a statement released on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, the NFF confirmed, “The Technical and Development Sub-Committee, at its meeting held in Abuja on Thursday, January 2, recommended the appointment of Éric Chelle as the Head Coach of the Super Eagles. This recommendation has now been endorsed by the NFF Executive Committee.”
Chelle’s Mandate
Chelle, who has been tasked with securing Nigeria’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, is expected to hit the ground running. The next set of qualifiers, Match Days 5 and 6, are slated for March 2025.
The NFF’s statement emphasized the urgency of the mission, saying, “Coach Chelle’s appointment is with immediate effect, and he is mandated to ensure the Super Eagles secure a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals. His vast experience as both a player and coach positions him as the right man for the job.”
Chelle’s Experience
The 47-year-old Chelle brings a wealth of experience to the role. As a player, he represented French clubs such as Martigues, Valenciennes, Lens, Istres, and Chamois Niortais in Ligue 1. On the international stage, he earned five caps for Mali’s national team, the Aiglons.
Chelle’s coaching journey includes stints at GS Consolat, FC Martigues, Boulogne, and MC Oran. Most notably, he was Mali’s Head Coach from 2022 until June 2024. During his tenure, he led the Aiglons to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire, where they narrowly missed a semi-finals berth, losing 2-1 to the hosts after extra time.
Reflecting on the heart-wrenching loss, Chelle once remarked, “It was a tough pill to swallow, but those moments teach resilience. I’m looking forward to bringing that same fighting spirit to the Super Eagles.”
A New Era for the Super Eagles
Born on November 11, 1977, in Ivory Coast to a French father and Malian mother, Chelle is eager to make his mark with Nigeria’s national team. In his first address following his appointment, he expressed his commitment to the role.
“I am honored to lead a team as talented as the Super Eagles,” Chelle said. “Nigeria has a rich football history, and I am determined to work hard with the players, staff, and federation to bring success to the nation.”
The appointment signals a fresh start for the Super Eagles as they aim to regain their dominance in African and global football. Fans across the country are hopeful that Chelle’s leadership will usher in a new era of success for the team.
