Eric Chelle is set to continue as head coach of the Super Eagles after reaching an agreement with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on a new contract, Soccernet.ng reports.
Chelle initially took charge in January 2025 on a two-year deal, which was due to expire next year. However, his future had remained uncertain amid interest from clubs such as Algerian side MC Alger and several other African national teams.
The Franco-Malian coach was originally appointed with the primary task of guiding the Super Eagles to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. However, Nigeria fell short after a slow start and eventually lost to DR Congo in the CAF playoff final, marking a second consecutive failure to qualify for the tournament.
Despite that setback, Chelle improved his standing with a strong showing at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where the Super Eagles finished in third place and he has also recorded several encouraging results since his arrival.
NFF reach agreement with Eric Chelle to continue as Super Eagles coach
Following a meeting between both parties, Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko, confirmed that Chelle has agreed new terms to extend his contract with the national team.
The deal also includes a new role for him in charge of the U-23 side, the Dream Team, ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games as they look to qualify for the first time since winning bronze medal at the 2016 edition in Rio de Janeiro.
“This new contract and the new remuneration, which I think we’ll be able to finalize, I can confirm that we have agreed new terms with the coach and we are going to increase his money”, Dikko said.
“We are also going to take care of his assistants who are helping him, and there are other benchmarks that we have put on the table. I’m sure our coach was very excited about it. That has been put out in a way and the NFF would do the rest.
“Also, we have discussed how we can build for the future. We have the upcoming AFCON and the next World Cup, and we have to start preparing now to ensure mistakes and deficits we have suffered do not happen again. We need to learn and improve.
“We have also agreed that the coach will take charge of the U-23 national team because there are players who move through that age group into the Super Eagles. Instead of having different ideas, we are going to have a more unified system to support Chelle and his team. The objective is not to overload the coach but to build for the future”, the NSC chairman concluded.
Full breakdown of the new deal
Before this agreement, Eric Chelle reportedly earned around $50,000 per month, with his previous contract also requiring him to cover the salaries of his assistants.
During negotiations, it was reported that Chelle demanded up to $130,000 monthly, although both parties have now settled on new terms.
Under the new deal, the 48-year-old will now earn around $100,000 per month, while the Nigeria Football Federation will take responsibility for paying his coaching staff, with the new agreement representing double of what he previously earned.
Eric Chelle’s next major assignment will be guiding Nigeria through qualification for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, with the qualifiers set to begin in September.
The Super Eagles will compete in Group L alongside Madagascar, Guinea-Bissau and Madagascar, with only one available qualification slot available.
