The National Sports Commission (NSC) has set in motion an early ‘strategic’ course of action to ensure that the Super Eagles qualify for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, towards which the apex body met with officials of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
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Sports247 gathered that their high-profile meeting in Abuja touched on how to motivate the players and coaching crew in order to avoid a repeat of the team’s failure to qualify for the ongoing edition as well as the one before it in Qatar.
Apart from charting an early course for the Eagles’ flight to the next Mundial, the ‘strategic meeting’ between NSC top guns and officials of the NFF also discussed issues affecting the domestic league, Super Falcons and Eric Chelle’s contract.
Details of the deliberations were provided by BSC’s chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, who spoke after what he described as ‘a high-level strategic meeting’ at the NSC’s headquarters in Abuja, where several decisions were reached towards strengthening Nigerian football.
While also revealing a new contract and improved remuneration package for Chelle, Dikko added that the NFF will finalise the deal, which includes welfare packages and performance-based benchmarks for the coach’s assistants.
The former chairman of Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) added that these decisions are aimed at improving the welfare of players and coaches, as well as enhancing the Super Eagles’ competitiveness and improvement of the domestic game.
Dikko stated: “I want to thank NFF president, Ibrahim Gusau, and the general-secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, for a very productive engagement. The issues discussed are fundamental to the growth and development of Nigerian football.
“Collectively, we share the same ambition and vision of moving Nigerian football forward and ensuring sustained success. As part of long-term planning, we agreed that preparations for the 2030 FIFA World Cup must begin immediately.
“Our objective is to build now for 2030 by identifying and developing the next generation of players. We want Nigeria to perform strongly at the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations and qualify successfully for future international competitions
“A major highlight of the meeting was that the champions of the 2026/27 NPFL season will receive a minimum prize money of ₦1bn. The runners-up will receive ₦500m, while the third-placed team will earn ₦300m.
“To ensure continuity in player development, Eric Chelle has been appointed to also oversee Nigeria’s under-23 national team, to create a seamless pathway for young talents transitioning into the senior national team.”
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