NFF Announce Fresh Action On Chelle After Appointment As New Super Eagles Coach

informantonline.com.ng

January 12, 2025

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) will officially introduce Mr. Éric Sékou Chelle as the new Head Coach of the Super Eagles on Monday.

The unveiling ceremony will take place at the Media Conference Room of the MKO Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, starting at 11am.

This announcement was made in a statement released on the NFF website on Sunday.

Chelle’s appointment was confirmed last Tuesday by the NFF Executive Committee, following a recommendation from the Technical and Development Committee.

The 47-year-old Franco-Malian is stepping into one of the most high-profile roles in global football. However, NFF President Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau has expressed strong confidence in Chelle’s ability to elevate the Super Eagles to new levels of success.

“We appreciate the fact that Nigerians are very passionate about football, which is why there have been different reactions following the appointment of Coach Chelle,” Gusau said on Sunday.

“However, the NFF appeals to Nigerians to come together and support him, as we believe he has the qualities to achieve success with the Super Eagles.”

Gusau further reassured Nigerians that the Federation would offer the full support needed to guarantee Chelle’s success.

“The NFF will give him all the support that he needs to succeed in the job,” he added.

Chelle’s first major task will be leading the Super Eagles B at next month’s African Nations Championship in East Africa.

Following that, the focus will shift to the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, with crucial matches scheduled against Rwanda (away) and Zimbabwe (home) in March.

The unveiling ceremony on Monday will also introduce Chelle’s coaching staff, whose expertise will be vital for the remaining six matches in the World Cup qualifying campaign.

According to the statement, Chelle brings a wealth of experience to the role, having led Mali’s Aiglons to the brink of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals.

He recently stepped down from his role at Algerian club MC Oran, where he had been managing the 1989 African Champions’ Cup finalists, to take on the Super Eagles job.