NSC Confirms New Deal for Super Eagles Coach Eric Chelle
The Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko, has confirmed that Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle will stay in charge of Nigeria’s senior national team after agreeing on a fresh contract with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
Dikko also revealed that the Franco‑Malian tactician has been given extra responsibility for the country’s U‑23 national team, popularly known as the Olympic Eagles, as part of a long‑term plan to strengthen the football development pathway.
Details of the Agreement
The announcement came on Tuesday after a meeting between NSC and NFF officials in Abuja. Although Chelle’s current two‑year deal runs until the end of 20 of 2026, negotiations for an improved package have been underway since Nigeria’s strong showing at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in 2026, talks about an upgraded agreement have been ongoing for months, spurred by the Super Eagles’ third‑place finish at the 2025 AFCON in Morocco.
Reports indicated that Chelle sought a monthly salary package of $130,000, covering his pay and that of his assistants, among other conditions. Dikko said both sides have now settled on new terms.
“We have reached new terms with the coach about his new remuneration. We are also going to take care of his assistants, and there are other benchmarks that we have put on the table, and I’m sure the coach will be very excited about it,” Dikko stated.
Expanded Role: Overseeing the U‑23 Team
Beyond his duties with the Super Eagles, Chelle will now supervise the U‑23 national team. Dikko explained that the move aims to ensure continuity between the youth and senior squads as a new generation of players emerges.
“With the NFF, we also agreed that the coach will take care of the U‑23 national team because we have young players coming into the Super Eagles within that age bracket. The objective is not to give the coach more work but to start building for the future,” he added.
The arrangement is expected to create a smooth transition for talented players moving from the U‑23 setup into the senior team, maintaining consistency in style, philosophy and player development.
Looking Ahead to Los Angeles 2028
The expanded role coincides with Nigeria’s preparations for qualification to the football event at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. The Olympic Eagles have missed the men’s football tournament at both Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024, and Chelle is tasked with reversing that trend while continuing to lead the Super Eagles.
Having already earned praise for stabilising the Super Eagles and guiding them to a third‑place finish at the 2025 AFCON, Chelle now faces greater expectations. He will be expected to build a sustainable structure capable of producing the next generation of national team stars as Nigeria eyes future international competitions and youth development programmes.
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