The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has appointed Eric Chelle as the head coach of the Super Eagles.
The NFF announced the appointment of the Malian tactician in a statement on Tuesday
The 47-year-old was recommended for the job by the NFF technical and development sub-committee on January 2. The federation’s executive committee endorsed the recommendation a few hours before the announcement.
He is the first-ever non-Nigerian African to be named the head coach of the Eagles.
Chelle was Mali’s head coach at the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire. He led the team to the quarter-final, where the country lost to the hosts in extra time.
The coach’s reaction to the loss is perhaps one of the most unforgettable scenes from the tournament. He squatted down and was hyperventilating, and his assistants needed to douse him with bottles of water to revive him.
He had only managed a slew of clubs in the lower rungs of French football, like GS Consolat, FC Martigues, and Boulogne, before he joined Mali in 2022.
During his playing days, he featured five times for the Malian senior men’s national team. He also spells at teams like Martigues, Valenciennes, Lens, Istres, and Chamois Niortais in France.
Chelle’s appointment takes effect immediately, and he is responsible for guiding the Super Eagles to earn a ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals.
The Malian’s first task will be the next round of games against Rwanda and Zimbabwe in March. Nigeria are currently fifth in Group C of the qualifier. The team is also winless after four games.
