The Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko, has confirmed that Eric Chelle will continue as head coach of the Super Eagles, following a new agreement reached between all parties.
The decision was announced during a high-level meeting held on Tuesday at the National Sports Commission headquarters in Abuja.
The meeting was attended by NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko, NSC Director-General Bukola Olopade, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President Ibrahim Gusau, NFF General Secretary Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, and Super Eagles Head Coach Eric Chelle.
According to Dikko, Chelle will remain in charge of the three-time African champions despite growing interest from several countries following Nigeria’s impressive performance at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
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The Malian tactician enhanced his reputation after guiding the Super Eagles to a third-place finish at the tournament, attracting attention from a number of national teams seeking his services.
However, the new arrangement ensures that Chelle will continue leading Nigeria’s senior team, with reports indicating that the agreement is worth around $100,000 per month.
As part of the new deal, Chelle has also been appointed head coach of Nigeria’s U-23 national team, ahead of preparations for the 2028 Olympic Games.
The immediate focus for Chelle and his assistants will be securing qualification for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. Nigeria are drawn alongside Madagascar, Tanzania and Guinea-Bissau in the qualifying series for the continental competition.
Beyond the AFCON qualifiers, the NSC and NFF have outlined broader responsibilities for the coach as part of a long-term development strategy for Nigerian football. His appointment to oversee the U-23 side is seen as a key component of efforts to build a stronger pipeline of talent for the future.
Another major target under the new agreement is qualification for the 2030 FIFA World Cup as Nigeria aim to return to football’s biggest stage after failing to qualify for the last two editions of the tournament.
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