Eric Chelle, a 47-year-old former Malian international, has been appointed as the head coach of Nigeria’s national football team, the Super Eagles.
This appointment of Eric Chelle marks the first time a non-Nigerian African has assumed this role.
Chelle’s diverse background, born in Abidjan to a French father and Malian mother, coupled with his extensive playing and coaching career in France and Mali, positions him as a unifying figure capable of understanding and harnessing the diverse talents within Nigerian football.
The decision to appoint Chelle has elicited mixed reactions among Nigerian football fans and analysts, with some expressing concerns over his limited experience in managing top-tier teams. Nonetheless, the Nigeria Football Federation has entrusted him with the responsibility of steering the Super Eagles back on course for World Cup qualification.
Transitioning into coaching after his retirement in 2014, Chelle managed French lower-division teams, including GS Consolat and FC Martigues. In May 2022, he was appointed head coach of the Malian national team, leading them to the quarter-finals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. However, his tenure ended in June 2024 following a goalless draw against Madagascar in a World Cup qualifier.
Chelle’s appointment comes at a critical juncture for Nigerian football, as the Super Eagles aim to revive their campaign to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. They currently sit fourth in Group C with
three points from four matches, trailing Rwanda, South Africa, and Benin, who each have seven points. Chelle’s immediate challenge will be to prepare the team for crucial qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe in March.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) selected Chelle for his international coaching experience and familiarity with African football. His appointment marks a shift towards intra-African collaboration, moving away from the traditional reliance on European coaches.
Chelle’s immediate challenge is to improve Nigeria’s position in World Cup qualifying Group C, where they currently have only three points from four matches, trailing Rwanda, South Africa, and Benin, who each have seven points. Upcoming matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe are crucial for Nigeria’s qualification hopes.
His appointment reflects the NFF’s commitment to revitalizing the Super Eagles and underscores a broader Pan-African vision of collaboration and self-reliance in football management.
While some stakeholders have expressed skepticism about Chelle’s appointment, others view it as a progressive move that could inspire other African nations to recognize and utilize coaching talent within the continent.
