The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has appointed Eric Chelle as the new head coach of the Super Eagles.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the NFF officially announced the appointment of the 47-year-old Malian coach.
“The Executive Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation has endorsed the recommendation of its Technical and Development Sub-Committee for the appointment of Mr. Éric Sékou Chelle as Head Coach of Nigeria’s senior men national football team, Super Eagles,” the statement reads.
“At its meeting held in Abuja on Thursday, 2nd January 2025, the NFF Technical and Development Sub-Committee had recommended the appointment of former Coach of the senior men national team of Mali as the new Head Coach of the Super Eagles. This recommendation was on Tuesday, 7th
January endorsed by the NFF Executive Committee.
“Chelle’s selection was recommended by the NFF’s technical and development sub-committee on January 2 and subsequently endorsed by the federation’s executive committee just hours before the official announcement.”
Chelle previously served as head coach of Mali’s national team during the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Côte d’Ivoire, where he guided the team to the quarter-finals. Mali’s journey ended with a narrow extra-time loss to the host nation.
The Malian coach’s first major challenge will come in March, as the Super Eagles face crucial qualifier matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe. Nigeria currently sits fifth in Group C, winless after four games.
