- Safiu Kehinde
The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has unveiled Eric Chelle as the new Super Eagles head coach.
This was disclosed in a post on the Federation’s official X handle on Monday.
Recall that NPO reported Chelle’s appointment as the new gaffer of the Nigerian National team last weekfollowing a recommendation by the football ruling body’s Technical and Development Committee.
The 47-year-old Malian will mount one of the hottest seats in world football, but President of the NFF, Ibrahim Gusau, had on Sunday expressed confidence in the new gaffer, stressing that he had all it takes to succeed.
Chelle, as profiled by the NFF, earned five national team appearances for Mali during his playing days before his appointment as the Algions’ head coach in 2022.
During his playing times, he enjoyed stints at several clubs in France which include Martigues, Valenciennes, Lens, Istres and Chamois Niortais.
Prior to the appointment as Mali National team coach in 2022, Chelle’s coaching career had seen him manage clubs such as such as GS Consolat, FC Martigues, Boulogne and MC Oran.
Mali’s impressive campaign at the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON), where Chelle led them to the quarterfinals, appeared to have caught the fancy of the NFF Board.
The Malian’s appointment would see him replace Caretaker manager, Augustine Eguavoen, who earned the Super Eagles a spot in the forthcoming 2025 AFCON tournament.
Chelle is now billed to guide the Nigerian National team to a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.