Eric Chelle Appointed Head Coach of Super Eagles

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has announced the appointment of Eric Chelle as the head coach of the Super Eagles, marking a historic moment as he becomes the first non-Nigerian African to hold the position.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the NFF confirmed that the 47-year-old Malian tactician was recommended by its Technical and Development Sub-Committee on 2 January.

The federation’s Executive Committee swiftly endorsed the recommendation before the public announcement.

Chelle, who most recently served as Mali’s head coach at the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Côte d’Ivoire, led his nation to the quarter-finals.

Mali’s journey was cut short after a dramatic extra-time loss to the host nation.

His emotional reaction to the defeat remains etched in the memory of many football fans, as he had to be revived with bottles of water after squatting down and hyperventilating on the sidelines.

Before his stint with Mali, Chelle managed several clubs in the lower tiers of French football, including GS Consolat, FC Martigues, and Boulogne.

He took the reins of the Malian national team in 2022, despite his limited managerial experience.

During his playing career, Chelle earned five caps for Mali’s senior national team and enjoyed spells at French clubs such as Martigues, Valenciennes, Lens, Istres, and Chamois Niortais.

Chelle’s appointment takes effect immediately, with his primary mandate being to guide the Super Eagles to secure a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals.

His first test will come in March during the qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.

The Super Eagles currently sit fifth in Group C and are winless after four matches.

Chelle faces a monumental challenge in turning the team’s fortunes around and revitalising Nigeria’s chances of qualification.

Speaking on his appointment, Chelle expressed his gratitude to the NFF and promised to bring his tactical expertise and passion to the role.

“It is an honour to coach a team as illustrious as the Super Eagles. I am fully committed to this journey and believe we can achieve great success together,” he said.

The appointment has been met with cautious optimism by football enthusiasts, who are eager to see how Chelle’s leadership will impact the team’s performance in the coming months.