Éric Sékou Chelle, a former defender for Lens, has been appointed as the new Head Coach of the Super Eagles, ushering in a new chapter for Nigeria’s senior men’s national football team.
This decision follows the endorsement from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Executive Committee, which approved the recommendation from its Technical and Development Sub-Committee.
Chelle, who has previously managed Mali and possesses extensive experience in both club and international football, will now guide the Super Eagles in their pursuit of qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
At 47 years old, Chelle has a rich managerial background, having led teams such as GS Consolat, FC Martigues, Boulogne, and MC Oran.
During his playing days in France, he represented clubs including Martigues, Valenciennes, Istres, and Chamois Niortais.
Born in Côte d’Ivoire to a French father and a Malian mother, Chelle had the option to play for Côte d’Ivoire, France, or Mali, ultimately choosing to represent Mali, where he earned five caps before retiring.
As head coach of Mali from 2022 to 2024, Chelle guided the Aiglons to the quarter-finals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) held in Côte d’Ivoire, where they narrowly missed out on the semi-finals, losing 2-1 to the eventual champions after extra time. Under his management, Mali achieved 14 victories, five draws, and three defeats.
Chelle’s time with Mali concluded in June 2024, but his legacy includes one of the standout performances at the 2023 AFCON.
The position of head coach for the Super Eagles became available after Finidi George resigned following a series of disappointing results in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, which included a draw against South Africa and a defeat to the Benin Republic.
