Chelle to continue as Super Eagles coach, agrees new deal

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle will continue in his role after agreeing to a new contract, the National Sports Commission (NSC) confirmed Tuesday. The deal resolves months of speculation surrounding the Franco-Malian coach's future with the Nigerian national football team.

Under the revised terms, Chelle will receive an increased salary. Significantly, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) will now assume responsibility for paying his backroom staff, a cost previously borne by Chelle himself. "I can confirm to you that we have reached a new term with the coach. We are going to increase his money and also take care of his assistants who are helping him," said NSC chairman Shehu Dikko.

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I can confirm to you that we have reached a new term with the coach. We are going to increase his money and also take care of his assistants who are helping him.

Dikko also revealed that Chelle's responsibilities will expand to include managing the men's U-23 national team. This move aims to build for the future and prepare the team for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, an event Nigeria has not participated in since the 2016 Rio Games. "We have also discussed how we can build for the future. In that aspect, we also agree with the coach and the NFF that the coach should take care of the U-23 national team," Dikko added.

Chelle, who took charge of the Super Eagles in 2025, led the team to a bronze medal at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco that same year. The specific duration of the new contract and financial details were not disclosed.

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We have also discussed how we can build for the future. In that aspect, we also agree with the coach and the NFF that the coach should take care of the U-23 national team.