The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed the appointment of Éric Sékou Chelle as the new head coach of the Super Eagles, Nigeria’s senior men’s national football team.
This decision comes after the NFF’s Technical and Development Sub-Committee recommended the former Mali national team coach during a meeting in Abuja on Thursday, January 2, 2025.
The NFF Executive Committee formally ratified the recommendation on Tuesday, January 7, 2025.
Chelle, who boasts five international caps for Mali, brings a wealth of experience both as a player and a coach.
His managerial career includes stints with clubs such as GS Consolat, FC Martigues, Boulogne, and MC Oran. Most recently, he served as the head coach of the Mali national team, a position he held since 2022.
Under his guidance, Mali made an impressive run at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire, coming within a whisker of reaching the semi-finals.
Éric Chelle after Ivory Coast scored a last gasps winning goal at the 2024 AFCON
They were eliminated in a dramatic 2-1 extra-time defeat by the host nation, Côte d’Ivoire, after leading 1-0 until the final moments of regulation time.
His managerial stats stand at 159 Matches, 70 wins, 42 Draws and 47 losses.
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The 47 year old was Mali gaffer from 2022 to 13th June, 2024. He managed them for 21 matches with 13 wins, 5 draws and 3 loses.
Chelle’s playing career in France included appearances for clubs like Martigues, Valenciennes, Lens, Istres, and Chamois Niortais.
Chelle now takes charge of the Super Eagles, with an immediate focus on leading the national team to 2026 FIFA World Cup in USA, Canada and Mexico.
According to the NFF president he will lead the home based Super Eagles in the 2025 African Nation Championship (CHAN) that kicks off in february.
