The President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Musa Gusau has opened up on the reasons behind the appointment of Eric Chelle as the new Super Eagles coach.
Chelle’s appointment was confirmed on Tuesday by the NFF Executive Committee, following a recommendation by the football ruling body’s Technical and Development Committee.
He is set to be unveiled as the new Super Eagles coach on Monday at the Media Conference Room of the MKO Abiola National Stadium, by 11am.
Gusau revealed that Chelle’s appointment will bring fresh energy, new thinking, and positive attitude to the Super Eagles team ahead of the World Cup qualifiers.
He said: “We appreciate the fact that Nigerians are very passionate about the game of football, and that is the reason for the different tones of reactions following the appointment of Coach Chelle. However, the NFF hereby appeals to Nigerians to come together and support him, as we believe he has the qualities to achieve success with the Super Eagles.
“The NFF will give him all the support that he needs to succeed in the job.”
At Monday’s unveiling, the NFF will also disclose the names of Coach Chelle’s assistants, with the crew expected to lead the Super Eagles B at next month’s African Nations Championship in East Africa, before focusing squarely on the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, beginning with the matches against Rwanda (away) and Zimbabwe (home) in March.
He is the third coach to take charge of the Super Eagles in the last 10 months after Finidi George, and Augustine Eguavoen
Chelle boasts of a career record of 67 wins, 40 draws, and 41 losses, resulting in a win percentage of 45.27%.
His highest achievement as a national team coach is taking the Malian national team to the quarter-finals of the AFCON in 2023.
Chelle will be paid $50,000 per month, while his two assistants will receive $5,000 per month.
The biggest task for the Malian coach is to qualify the Super Eagles for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Nigeria currently occupy the fourth position in Group C with three points from four games after failing to record a win in their first four games of the qualifiers.
Chelle’s first competitive match in charge of the Super Eagles is a clash against Rwanda in Kigali in March.
