The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed the appointment of former Mali international Eric Chelle as the new head coach of the Super Eagles, Afrosport reports.
The NFF Technical and Development Sub-Committee at its meeting held in Abuja on Thursday, 2 January 2025, had recommended the appointment of Chelle as the new Super Eagles boss. However, the NFF Executive Committee approved the recommendation on Tuesday, 7 January.
New Super Eagles coach, Éric Chelle 🇲🇱 SCORECARD. 👇 pic.twitter.com/BdaXb6pKw2
— POOJA!!! (@PoojaMedia) January 7, 2025
Chelle, 47, led the Eagles of Mali to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire, where they were knocked out in the quarterfinals by the hosts and eventual winners following a 2-1 defeat after extra time.
The former defender earned five international caps for Mali during his playing days and donned the colors of five clubs, including Martigues, Lens, and Valenciennes.
He also has experience coaching clubs like GS Consolat, FC Martigues, Boulogne, and MC Oran. He was appointed as Mali’s head coach in 2022 and was dismissed in June.
The Malian reportedly has overseen 159 matches as head coach, boasting 70 wins, 42 draws and 47 losses.
Eric Chelle will begin his coaching role with the Super Eagles immediately, with his first real test in March against Rwanda and Zimbabwe in the African qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
