NFF Set to Reward Eric Chelle With New Deal After AFCON Semi-Final Milestone

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is preparing to offer Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle a new and improved contract following his impressive turnaround of the national team,

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Chelle was appointed in January 2025 at a turbulent moment in Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, taking over from interim coach Augustine Eguavoen.

One year on, the Franco-Malian tactician has steadied the ship and restored confidence, with officials at both the NFF and the National Sports Commission reportedly satisfied with his impact.

The former Mali head coach was initially tasked with guiding Nigeria to at least the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations, a target he has now achieved.

According to an NFF official, reaching the last four has automatically triggered a contract extension, as stipulated in his original agreement.

Despite early scepticism from sections of the media following his appointment, federation insiders believe the decision to hire Chelle has been fully justified.

Talks over a revised and enhanced deal are expected to commence after the AFCON tournament, once the team returns to Nigeria, barring any unforeseen developments.

Chelle’s record with the Super Eagles has been particularly strong. He is yet to lose a competitive match in regulation time, boasting 11 wins and five draws from 17 games.

His only regulation-time defeat came in a December friendly against Egypt in Cairo, when Nigeria fielded an understrength side.

Performances were less convincing with the Super Eagles B team at the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN), where Nigeria lost two group matches, but this has not dented confidence in his overall leadership.

With a new contract effectively assured, Chelle now turns his attention to Wednesday’s AFCON semi-final clash against host nation Morocco at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat.

Operating in his preferred 4-4-2 diamond formation, Nigeria have been among the standout teams of the tournament.

The Super Eagles topped Group C with a perfect record against Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda, before eliminating Mozambique in the round of 16 and Algeria in the quarter-finals. They have scored 14 goals, conceded four, and kept two clean sheets so far.

Victory over Morocco would send Nigeria back to the Africa Cup of Nations final, less than a year after finishing runners-up to Ivory Coast in Côte d’Ivoire—another major endorsement of Chelle’s growing legacy with the Super Eagles.