The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has officially confirmed that Eric Chelle will remain as head coach of the Super Eagles, putting to rest speculation that the Franco-Malian tactician might leave the national team.
NFF President Ibrahim Gusau stressed that Chelle is still under contract and fully committed to Nigeria’s football plans, despite reports linking him to coaching opportunities in other countries such as Tunisia and Angola.
“We still have a one-year contract with Eric, and therefore whatever interest anybody will show on him, he has to wait until his contract expires,” Gusau said in an interview shared by the Super Eagles’ media team.
Chelle guided the Super Eagles to a third-place finish at the last Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, earning praise for his leadership and tactical acumen. Gusau said the federation is keen to avoid distractions that could derail the progress made under his guidance.
“We don’t want to bring distractions on him, because we understand he enjoys working with Nigeria,” Gusau added.
The NFF president also dismissed the idea that financial incentives or short-term gains elsewhere should influence Chelle’s decisions.
“It’s not about a team being interested in you or offering more money. The key factor for any coach is having the right environment to succeed, especially in major tournaments,” he explained.
Gusau emphasized that Chelle remains deeply committed to the Super Eagles project and believes he can achieve his career goals while leading Nigeria’s national team.
“He has so much belief in the Super Eagles, and he has every confidence that he can achieve all his dreams with the team. We have discussed this several times,” Gusau said.
The confirmation ensures that Eric Chelle will continue to lead the Super Eagles, focusing on preparation and success in upcoming African and international tournaments.