Abuja, Nigeria – January 8, 2025
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has announced that newly appointed Super Eagles head coach, Éric Sékou Chelle, is scheduled to arrive in Abuja on Sunday, January 12, 2025. Chelle will be accompanied by three assistant coaches, forming his core technical team as he begins his tenure with the Nigerian national football team.
Chelle, a 47-year-old former Malian international, was officially appointed as the Super Eagles’ head coach on January 7, 2025. His coaching career includes a notable stint as the head coach of Mali’s national team, where he led them to the quarter-finals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
The NFF’s decision to appoint Chelle comes as the Super Eagles aim to revitalize their campaign to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Nigeria currently stands fourth in Group C of the African qualifiers, with three points from four matches, trailing behind Rwanda, South Africa, and Benin, who each have seven points. Chelle’s immediate task will be to prepare the team for crucial upcoming fixtures against Rwanda and Zimbabwe, scheduled for March 2025.
The identities of Chelle’s three assistants have not been officially disclosed. However, their arrival alongside the head coach underscores a commitment to establishing a cohesive technical unit aimed at enhancing the Super Eagles’ performance.
Chelle’s appointment has elicited mixed reactions among Nigerian football fans and analysts, with some expressing concerns over his limited experience in managing top-tier national teams. Nonetheless, the NFF has expressed confidence in his ability to lead the Super Eagles to success in forthcoming competitions.
As the team prepares to regroup under new leadership, the focus will be on strategic planning and intensive training to improve their standing in the World Cup qualifiers. The Nigerian football community eagerly anticipates the impact of Chelle and his assistants on the Super Eagles’ quest for international success.
