Soccer
Eric Chelle. Photo by Segun Ogunfeyitimi /IMAGO
Copyright: xshengolpixsx
Nigeria’s National Sports Commission (NSC) has moved swiftly to begin discussions over a new contract for Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle, Soccernet.ng reports.
The NSC’s move comes just days after the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) publicly insisted no such talks were imminent.
The contrasting positions points to a growing institutional tug-of-war over the future of the 48-year-old Malian, who has become one of the most sought-after coaches on the continent, after guiding Nigeria to a bronze-medal finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
NSC Director General Bukola Olopade confirmed that informal steps had already been taken, revealing his personal involvement in opening lines of communication with the coach.
“I had dinner with him two days ago at my house in Abuja,” Olopade revealed in an exclusive interview with Footy Africa.
“I am not the NFF President, but we work collaboratively. That same night, I called the NFF president, and hopefully by Tuesday or Wednesday, we will all sit down together.”
Olopade was adamant that Nigeria should act quickly, not least because the NSC pays Chelle’s salary and therefore has a major stake in how the situation develops.
The football administrator also brushed aside reports linking the coach with other countries, saying:
“Eric Chelle is not going anywhere. Those countries do not have the kind of superstars that make his job easier. He succeeded because he had the right equipment, the quality players needed to execute his ideas.”
Under Chelle, Nigeria were transformed into one of the tournament’s most exciting sides, scoring freely and setting new benchmarks. Chelle’s 4-4-2 diamond system drew praise for unlocking the full potential of players such as Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman.
“We now have surplus quality across all departments,” Olopade added.
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Soccer Eric Chelle: NFF urges patience as Africa comes calling
The NFF, however, is in no rush. Chelle was handed a two-year contract in January 2025, when the NFF decided to make him the first non-Nigerian African to head the Super Eagles.
President Ibrahim Gusau has made it clear that the federation intends to follow the terms of Chelle’s existing deal, which runs until January 2027.
“There will be no contract extension discussion with Eric Chelle, the Super Eagles coach, for now,” Gusau said as per the Sun.
“We signed a two-year deal with him in January 2025. He’s only halfway through his contract. In the last six months of his current deal, we can start to look at things.”
That cautious stance comes at a time when Chelle’s stock has never been higher. Tunisia, Angola and Gabon are all understood to be monitoring his situation, while a return to Mali is also not completely ruled out. Tunisia, who will be at the 2026 World Cup, are reportedly ready to double his current salary; a reality that explains why the NSC is keen not to leave anything to chance.
Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, with the Super Eagles free of any engagement until September when the AFCON 2027 qualifiers begin.
Imhonlamhen Eronmhonsele
A lifelong fan of Arsenal and the Super Eagles, Imhonlamhen is a football writer and editor at Soccernet.ng, where his journey as a journalist began more than six years ago. Since then, he has helped shape the platform’s editorial voice and guided it toward some of its proudest milestones.
With a background in Engineering and further training in journalism and digital media, Imhons brings both precision and passion to his storytelling. His love for football runs deep, but he also follows boxing, chess, and athletics with equal curiosity.
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