New Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has opened up on how he landed the Nigeria role – and insisted it had nothing to do with connections.
Speaking in a revealing interview on CANAL+ Sport Afrique, the 47-year-old Malian set the record straight on the process that led to his appointment, stressing that it was professionalism, not privilege, that earned him the job.
“When I left the Malian team, there was a call for applications from the Nigerian Federation, and so I applied like any other coach,” Chelle said. “Then the interview came. I was invited to a coaches’ conference where I presented my project, my vision and philosophy.”
Éric Chelle is a hands on coach! ???pic.twitter.com/xMcVIFxWY7
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At a time when rumours swirled about political influence and backchannel negotiations, Chelle made it clear that he followed the formal process, and almost missed out on the job altogether.
After initially being overlooked, the former Mali boss took a short-term deal at Algerian club MC Oran. But even then, he remained optimistic that a bigger opportunity could come along.
“I left for Oran, but I immediately told my president there was a chance this Nigeria role might return – and that if it did, I would go,” he added. “Luckily, the club was very gentlemanly and let me leave when the NFF came back in for me.”
Negotiations ramped up quickly, and Chelle was soon unveiled as the new head coach in January 2025. He succeeded Augustine Eguavoen, who had been in interim charge during the 2025 AFCON qualification campaign.
Chelle’s tenure began with a mixed bag of results in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. A 1-1 draw against Zimbabwe and a narrow 2-1 win over Rwanda showed early promise but also highlighted areas needing improvement.
Éric Chelle says second-place is now the target in Group C.
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Despite the shaky start, Chelle has praised the squad’s and insists there’s strong potential to build something special, saying:
“I don’t have any particular problems. Today, I’m really enjoying this country and this team.”
A straight-talking start for a man determined to let his work, not whispers, do the talking.
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