Former Nigeria international Julius Aghahowa has called on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to open formal negotiations with Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle, amid growing speculation surrounding the coach’s salary demands.
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Speaking in a chat with Brila, Aghahowa described Chelle’s reported stance as a normal and expected development following his recent outing with the national team.
According to the former Super Eagles striker, coaches across the world often seek improved terms once they have demonstrated capacity and delivered visible progress.
“From what we are hearing, the coach is trying to leverage on the recent AFCON chapter to improve his salary, and there is nothing wrong with that,” Aghahowa said.
He, however, noted that the NFF still retains a strong negotiating position, stressing that Chelle is not yet at the end of his current contract.
“The advantage for the NFF is that there is still almost a year left on his contract. This gives room for dialogue, not pressure or media speculation,” he added.
Aghahowa warned that prolonged uncertainty surrounding the coach’s future could become a distraction for the team, especially with important qualifiers and competitions on the horizon.
He urged the football authorities to act decisively by sitting down with Chelle to clarify expectations on both sides.
“The best thing now is for both parties to talk. When issues like this are handled early, it helps the players and keeps everyone focused on football,” he explained.
The former forward also stressed the importance of stability within the Super Eagles setup, noting that frequent changes in leadership have historically affected the team’s long-term development.
“If Nigeria wants continuity, these matters should be settled internally and professionally. Football decisions should not be driven by noise outside,” Aghahowa concluded.
Chelle, who took charge amid skepticism, has earned plaudits for improving team structure and competitiveness, making his contract situation one of the key talking points in Nigerian football circles.
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