Nigeria announce appointment of former Mali mentor Eric Chelle as Super Eagles prepare for upcoming 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifiers

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has appointed French-Malian and Ivorian coach Eric Sekou Chelle as the new Super Eagles manager.

The coaching vacant of the three-time African champions was available since the departure of Finidi George, who had a brief stint after a string of unimpressive outcomes in June.

Nigeria has now given Chelle the task of rejuvenating the team, focusing on restoring Nigeria’s reputation in international football after recent disappointing results.

"The Executive Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation has endorsed the recommendation of its Technical and Development Sub-Committee for the appointment of Mr. Éric Sékou Chelle as Head Coach of Nigeria’s senior men national football team, Super Eagles," the NFF statement reads.

"At its meeting held in Abuja on Thursday, 2nd January 2025, the NFF Technical and Development Sub-Committee had recommended the appointment of former Coach of the senior men national team of Mali as the new Head Coach of the Super Eagles. This recommendation was on Tuesday, 7th January endorsed by the NFF Executive Committee.

"Chelle, who won five caps for the Aiglons of Mali and coached clubs such as GS Consolat, FC Martigues, Boulogne and MC Oran, has been Head Coach of the Aiglons since 2022. At the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Cote d’Ivoire, Chelle’s Mali came very close to a place in the semi-finals, losing to hosts and eventual winners Cote d’Ivoire 2-1 after extra time, after leading by a lone goal until the final minute of regulation time," added the federation.

"The 47-year-old featured for Martigues, Valenciennes, Lens, Istres and Chamois Niortais in France during his playing career. His appointment is with immediate effect, and he has the responsibility of guiding the Super Eagles to earn a ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals, with the next round of matches (Matchdays 5 & 6) taking place in March."

Chelle brings international expertise to the Nigeria coaching position, having recently led Mali for two years. He guided Mali to the quarter-finals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Super Eagles have faced difficulties regarding coaches as they do not remain long with the team. Before George's dismissal, Nigeria was managed by Portuguese coach José Peseiro, who assisted them in reaching the 2023 Afcon final.

The West African nation was recently led by Augustine Eguavoen, who also serves as the team's technical director.

Nigeria is currently in fifth place with just three points from four matches in Group C of the World Cup qualifiers. However, they have secured a spot in the forthcoming 2025 Afcon tournament in Morocco.

The Super Eagles will face Bafana Bafana in September in South Africa in a Group C clash.

Chelle's background in African football and understanding of the game's complexities will be essential as he strives to meet the high hopes of the Nigerians.

Nigeria will resume the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign with an away match against Rwanda, followed by a home encounter against Zimbabwe in March.