Soccer
Nigeria’s coach Eric Chelle. Photo by Icon Sport
Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle saw his contract extended for another four years by the Nigeria Sports Commission four days ago, but that decision has not gone down well with many, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 48-year-old’s salary has now doubled, going from $50,000 monthly to earning $100,000, but so has his workload. The Franco-Malian tactician will also take charge of Nigeria’s U-23 team, adding to his Super Eagles responsibility.
Former Super Eagles midfielder Garba Lawal already raised questions regarding the payments, admitting he’s unsure if the NFF can sustain forking out that amount of money, long-term.
🚨 Éric Chelle’s new deal, fully broken down:
The 48-year-old will earn around $100,000 per month, with the Nigeria Football Federation now covering his coaching staff’s salaries. His previous contract paid $50,000 monthly and required him to fund his assistants’ wages.
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Finidi George, ex-player and coach, wasn’t a fan of a coach handling the senior team and the Olympic team, claiming other local coaches should be given a chance.
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“Super Eagles is already stress enough for him, don’t add more stress to it because you’re paying him $100,000,” the former Ajax winger said.
“Tell him your expectations and target on Super Eagles and let him concentrate on that. Let him get this job done.
“There are other Nigerian coaches that can do it, let them improve. There should be division of labor,” the one-time NPFL-winning coach concluded.
Finidi George’s claims have been echoed by a former NFF board member, Barrister Christopher Green.
The former River States Commissioner for Sports called out the Nigerian Federation, questioning why they wouldn’t pay local coaches the same fee they sanctioned for Eric Chelle.
“I have always advocated for equality. It does not matter where you are coming from, whether you reside in the country, whether you are a national or an expatriate. It is the same job,” Green said in quotes revealed by Pan Africa Football.
“I have always advocated for equality. It does not matter where you are coming from, whether you reside in the country, whether you are a national or an expatriate. It is the same job.
“If you are paying Chelle $80,000 or $100,000 per month, the day you are no longer comfortable with him, or the day you fire him, I also want you to pay the same thing to any local coach you want to take over. It is the same job.
“What has made him [Chelle] deserving of this increment? Are the Super Eagles at the World Cup? No, we are not there. That is the benchmark.
“He has taken charge of a team that did not go to the last World Cup, but he saw the job before he took it. Is he deserving of that? That is the question for everyone to answer,” Barrister Green concluded.
Eric Chelle’s first task would be to swing the Super Eagles into a strong start at the AFCON 2027 qualifiers starting in September.
Adefolahan Guerreiro
Adefolahan is a multilingual CAF-Accredited sports journalist and football writer whose work spans outlets like Soccernet Nigeria, Pure Football UK, and Royalsportz.
With a sharp eye for detail and a background in college sports, he tells the African football story with depth, flair, and global perspective.
Fluent in English, Spanish, and German, he brings a cross-cultural voice to his coverage, blending insight with accessibility for readers around the world.
His portfolio includes interviews with top Nigerian stars like Finidi George, Junior Lokosa, Sikiru Alimi, Sodiq Ismaila, and Abraham Onahi Ogbu.
A devoted Borussia Dortmund fan, Adefolahan thrives on the emotion and rhythm of the beautiful game. Away from work, he’s a sci-fi enthusiast and series lover who enjoys exploring how sport, storytelling, and culture collide.
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