National Sports Commission (NSC) Director General Bukola Olopade has dismissed reports suggesting Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle could leave Nigeria for another African national team, Soccernet.ng reports.
DG Olopade maintains that the Franco-Malian tactician remains fully committed to the country’s long-term football project.
Chelle appears to feature prominently on the wishlist of several nations on the continent after leading Nigeria to a third-place finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). His tactical work with the Super Eagles, together with the improvements he previously made with Mali, attracted attention from football federations looking for a new coach.
Among the strongest admirers was Algeria. After the Desert Foxes failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup under Vladimir Petković, the Algerian Football Federation reportedly contacted Chelle’s representatives as it searched for a replacement.
Algeria believed Chelle already understood its football culture. Before becoming Nigeria’s coach, he managed MC Oran in the Algerian league, making him familiar with the country’s football environment. Reports also claimed Algeria was ready to offer him a salary of about $200,000 per month, which would have been multiple times his previous earnings with Nigeria.
However, Nigeria moved quickly to secure Chelle’s future. With talks progressing positively between the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the NSC and the coach, Algeria gradually shifted its attention elsewhere, with Karim Belhocine emerging as the leading candidate for the Desert Foxes job.
Algeria was not alone in showing interest. Angola also explored the possibility of appointing Chelle to lead its long-term national team project. Officials were reportedly impressed by how he reorganised Mali into a competitive side before bringing a more organised playing style to the Super Eagles.
Gabon and Tunisia also monitored the situation during a period when Chelle’s future had not yet been officially confirmed.
Côte d’Ivoire also had reasons to admire the coach. Chelle was born in Abidjan and holds Ivorian, French and Malian nationality. His knowledge of West African football, combined with coaching experience gained in Europe, made him an attractive option for the former African champions.
Despite all the attention, Nigeria remained determined not to lose its coach.
Nigeria reward Chelle with improved contract and bigger responsibilities
To keep Chelle in charge, the Nigeria Football Federation and the National Sports Commission agreed on a significantly improved contract that shows the country’s confidence in his long-term vision.
The biggest change is his salary. Chelle’s monthly pay has increased from $50,000 to $100,000 after negotiations. Reports indicated that the coach initially requested $130,000 per month before both sides agreed on the current figure.
His responsibilities have also expanded beyond the Super Eagles. Chelle will now oversee Nigeria’s U-23 Olympic Eagles, giving him greater influence in developing players who can progress from the youth ranks into the senior team.
The improved package also includes better welfare for his assistants, housing support with uninterrupted electricity, security arrangements, performance-based targets and clauses designed to protect the coaching staff from administrative interference in team selection.
Olopade believes the agreement proves Nigeria has done enough to secure its coach for the future.
“Before contracts are signed on paper, you must have done a great deal of work to solidify all ends,” Olopade told The PUNCH.
He added:
“It’s a renewed contract, which means it’s an existing one. We have agreed, so I am sure that the Nigeria Football Federation will conclude the documentation as soon as possible.
“Eric is a gentleman, so all the stories about other countries looking for him do not hold water. I’ve sat with him and I know he is not bothered by all those rumours.”
The renewed agreement is expected to keep Chelle in charge until 2030, giving him enough time to implement a long-term football philosophy across Nigeria’s national teams.
His next major assignment will be leading the Super Eagles through the qualifying campaign for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
Nigeria have been drawn in Group H alongside Madagascar, Tanzania and Guinea-Bissau. Tanzania will also co-host the 2027 AFCON finals.
The qualification campaign will be played across three FIFA international windows. Matchdays One and Two are scheduled between September 21 and October 6. Matchdays Three and Four will take place from November 9 to 17, while the final two rounds of matches are set for March 22 to 30, 2027.
The Super Eagles must finish top of Group H to secure qualification for the 2027 AFCON.
