The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has pleaded with Nigerians to show their unwavering support to the newly appointed Super Eagles head coach, Éric Sékou Chelle.
The 47-year-old Malian trainer was confirmed on Tuesday, 7th January 2025, as the new Head Coach of Nigeria’s senior men national football team, Super Eagles by the Executive Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation, with recommendation of its Technical and Development Sub-Committee.
The former coach of the senior men national team of Mali is expected to start work immediately and help transform the 2013 AFCON champions.
Chelle will first oversee the Super Eagles B squad at the upcoming African Nations Championship in East Africa, before turning his full attention to the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.
Meanwhile, his appointment has sparked mixed reactions and questions from the Nigerian football fanatics, in which the Federation acknowledged the diverse reactions to Chelle’s appointment but emphasised the need for collective backing to ensure his success.
“We appreciate the fact that Nigerians are very passionate about the game of football, and that is the reason for the different tones of reactions following the appointment of Coach Chelle. However, the NFF hereby appeals to Nigerians to come together and support him, as we believe he has the qualities to achieve success with the Super Eagles,” wrote the NFF in an official statement.
The Federation further assured that they would provide Chelle with all the necessary resources and assistance to help him succeed in his role.
“The NFF will give him all the support that he needs to succeed in the job.” the press release further reads.
At Chelle’s official unveiling today (Monday), the NFF will announce the names of his assistant coaches.
Nigeria's 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers kick off in March with an away match against Rwanda and a home fixture against Zimbabwe.
By: Pascal Amoah
