Newly appointed head coach of the Super Eagles, \u00c9ric Chelle, has sparked curiosity after being assigned the number 12 jersey by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Soccernet.ng<\/a> reports.<\/strong><\/p>\n The former Mali international was officially unveiled as the new head coach of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations champions<\/a> at the MKO Abiola National Stadium conference room.<\/p>\n At the event, Chelle, together with other stakeholders of the Nigerian football body, were spotted posing with the Super Eagles jersey with his name and the jersey number 12 on it.<\/p>\n Normally, numbers written on the back of jerseys after a contract is signed in the world of football often signify the contract years agreed between the player or manager and the management.<\/p>\n Get Our Sports News First \u2013 Join Our WhatsApp Channel Now! <\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n However, with Chelle signing a two-year contract with the Nigerian football body, it is far from conclusive that it signifies the number of years or months on his contract.<\/p>\n Traditionally, jersey numbers hold symbolic meanings, with the number 12 often referred to as the \u201c12th man.\u201d This could also be interpreted as the NFF\u2019s way of emphasising Chelle\u2019s crucial role.<\/p>\n During Chelle\u2019s playing days, he was also known to wear the number 12 jersey at both club and international levels.<\/p>\n From 2005 to 2008, Chelle donned the number 12 jersey at Valenciennes CF and during the 2013\u201314 season campaign at Chamois Niortais FC.<\/p>\n Although the C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire-born tactician was also associated with other jersey numbers, such as 24 at FC Martigues and RC Lens and number 6 at FC Istres Ouest Provence, the number 12 remains significant.<\/p>\n The former RC Lens star has established himself as one of the top African coaches in recent years, particularly for his impact on the Malian national team, where he narrowly lost to C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire at the 2023 AFCON tournament.<\/p>\n Now, he is set to lead one of Africa\u2019s finest teams, the Super Eagles, with the task of maximising the squad\u2019s potential.<\/p>\n The @NGSuperEagles<\/a> have a new coach.<\/p>\n Eric Sekou Chelle is the new coach of the #SuperEagles<\/a>.<\/p>\n A new dawn is here. pic.twitter.com\/RwYGpm74ji<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Soccer](\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/app\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG-20250114-WA0000.jpg\")
Possible reasons for Chelle\u2019s Jersey number<\/h4>\n
![\"Soccer](\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/app\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Eric-Chelle-presented-Jersey-Number-12-at-NFF-Unveiling.jpeg\")
![\"Soccer](\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/app\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Eric-Chelle-in-Mali-jersey.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Soccer](\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/app\/uploads\/2025\/01\/imago3600244-scaled.jpg\")
Abdul Kader Keita (Lyon, li.) gegen Guillaume Rippert (Mitte) und Eric Chelle (beide Valenciennes) [Photo credit\/ Imago]<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWhat to expect from Super Eagles 12th man<\/h4>\n
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![\"Soccer](\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/app\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Ayomide-Oguntimehin-pics-150x150.jpg\")
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