The Nigeria Football Federation has appointed Éric Sékou Chelle as the Head Coach of the Super Eagles, effective immediately. Chelle, a former coach of the Mali national team, will focus on leading the team to the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals. His management will commence with the World Cup qualifiers in March.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has officially appointed Éric Sékou Chelle as the Head Coach of the Super Eagles, effective immediately. His primary objective will be to lead the team to the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals. This decision was taken during a meeting held in Abuja on January 2, 2025, where the NFF Technical and Development Sub-Committee advocated for the hiring of a foreign coach, specifically Chelle, the former head coach of the Mali national team. Chelle’s first matches in charge will be during the fifth and sixth matchdays of the World Cup qualifiers scheduled for March.
Chelle, now 47 years old, has experience as both a player and a coach. He earned five caps for Mali’s national team and has managed various clubs, including GS Consolat, FC Martigues, Boulogne, and MC Oran. He was at the helm of the Mali senior men’s national team from which he was relieved of his duties on June 13, 2024, after leading the team to the semi-finals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire. His playing career spanned clubs in France such as Martigues, Valenciennes, Lens, Istres, and Chamois Niortais.
The appointment of a new head coach is a critical decision for national football teams, especially as they prepare for significant competitions such as the FIFA World Cup. The NFF’s decision to hire Éric Chelle reflects a strategic approach to enhance the Super Eagles’ performance on the international stage. Chelle’s prior experience with the Mali national team, where he guided the side to the semi-finals in a major tournament, adds valuable expertise that the Nigerian team hopes to leverage for their upcoming qualifiers and the World Cup.
In summary, the NFF’s appointment of Éric Chelle as the Head Coach of the Super Eagles represents a forward-thinking move aimed at enhancing the team’s competitiveness quality as they strive for success in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. With his extensive experience and previous successes, Chelle is poised to bring a positive impact on the Super Eagles as they prepare for upcoming challenges.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
