Nigeria has confirmed that Eric Chelle will remain head coach of the Super Eagles after reaching an agreement with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the National Sports Committee (NSC), ending uncertainty surrounding his future with the national team.
The decision means the Malian coach will continue leading Nigeria’s senior men’s side while also taking on additional responsibilities with the country’s under-23 team, the Olympic Eagles.
The announcement was made in Abuja on Tuesday following discussions between officials from the NSC and the NFF. The agreement concludes months of negotiations over revised contract terms for Chelle and his coaching staff.
Chelle was appointed head coach of the Super Eagles in January 2025 on a two-year contract that was due to run until the end of 2026. Despite having more than a year remaining on his original deal, talks had been taking place regarding improved conditions and remuneration.
Those discussions have now been successfully concluded, allowing the 47-year-old to continue his work with Nigeria’s national teams.
As part of the new arrangement, Chelle’s duties have been expanded beyond the senior side. In addition to remaining in charge of the Super Eagles, he has also been entrusted with overseeing the Olympic Eagles, Nigeria’s under-23 national team.
The move signals a broader role for the coach as Nigerian football authorities seek to align their ambitions across different levels of the national-team structure.
The decision to maintain confidence in Chelle follows Nigeria’s performance at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where the Super Eagles finished third. That result appears to have strengthened support for the coach and contributed to the willingness of football authorities to extend his responsibilities.
According to several media reports, negotiations between the parties focused primarily on securing improved salaries for Chelle and members of his backroom staff.
With an agreement now reached, attention can turn to the challenges ahead.
The expanded role places Chelle at the centre of Nigeria’s plans for both senior and youth international football. He will be tasked with building on the progress made with the Super Eagles while also guiding the Olympic Eagles as the country seeks success at under-23 level.
The arrangement reflects a significant vote of confidence from both the NFF and the NSC, who believe the coach is capable of leading Nigeria’s efforts on multiple fronts.
For Chelle, the new agreement provides stability after months of uncertainty and gives him an opportunity to shape the future direction of Nigerian football more broadly.
The coach will now look to strengthen the Super Eagles’ performances in upcoming competitions while simultaneously working to revive Nigeria’s ambitions on the Olympic stage through his leadership of the under-23 side.
With contractual issues resolved and additional responsibilities confirmed, Chelle enters the next phase of his tenure with a wider mandate and increased expectations. Nigerian football authorities will hope that continuity at the top, combined with a unified approach across age groups, can help deliver success for the country’s national teams in the years ahead.
