The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has appointed Mali’s Éric Chelle as the new head coach of Nigeria’s senior men’s national football team, the Super Eagles. This follows the resignation of Jose Peseiro in March 2024. Chelle’s appointment was confirmed on January 7, 2025, after being recommended by the NFF’s Technical and Development Sub-Committee on January 2. His first task will be overseeing the home-based Super Eagles during the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda, from February 1-28.
Chelle, a former Mali national team player with coaching experience at clubs like GS Consolat, FC Martigues, and MC Oran, was Mali’s head coach during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, where his team narrowly lost to Ivory Coast in the quarterfinals. One of Chelle’s key challenges will be leading Nigeria’s bid to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as the team currently sits fifth in their qualification group.
