Former coach of Mali, Eric Sekou Chelle, has been named new head coach of Nigeria’s Super Eagles,the senior men’s national football team.
Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) officially named Chelle on Tuesday, January 7.
The decision followed a recommendation made by the NFF’s Technical and Development Sub-Committee, in the wake of a meeting in Abuja on January 2, 2025.
This was subsequently ratified by the NFF Executive Committee on January 7, 2025.
At 47, Chelle has gained renown as a seasoned football strategist and is no stranger to leadership in national teams, having previously managed Mali’s senior national team.
At the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Cote d’Ivoire, Mali,under him, missed the semi-finals by mere whiskers, losing to hosts and eventual winners Cote d’Ivoire 2-1 after extra time, after leading by a lone goal until the final minute of regulation time.
Born to a French father and a Malian mother, in Cote d’Ivoire, Chelle made five appearances for the Mali national team – the Aiglons.
He has coached clubs such as GS Consolat, FC Martigues, Boulogne and MC Oran.
He has been head coach of the Aiglons since 2022.
During his playing career, he featured for Martigues, Valenciennes, Lens, Istres and Chamois Niortais in France.
His appointment as Super Eagles gaffer is with immediate effect.
Chelle is expected to guide the Super Eagles to the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals, with the next round of matches (Match Days 5 & 6) in March,2025.
His appointment puts to rest the clamour in some quarters for a substantive Nigerian coach.
