The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is preparing to offer Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle a new contract following a strong run of results, a source has told Footy-Africa.
Chelle was appointed in January 2025 during a difficult period in Nigeria’s 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifying campaign, replacing interim coach Augustine Eguavoen.
Since taking charge, the former Mali boss has steadied the team, with officials at both the NFF and the National Sports Commission said to be satisfied with his performances.
Chelle was initially mandated to guide Nigeria to the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations, a target he has now met. An official confirmed that reaching the last four has triggered an automatic contract extension.
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Despite early criticism from sections of the media, both the NFF and the Sports Commission believe the decision to appoint Chelle has paid off.
Talks over an improved deal are expected to begin after the Africa Cup of Nations, once the team returns to Nigeria, barring any unforeseen circumstances, Source told Footy-Africa.
Chelle has yet to lose a competitive match in regulation time since taking over the Super Eagles’ senior side 12 months ago. His record stands at 11 wins and five draws from 17 matches, with the only regulation-time defeat coming in a friendly against Egypt in Cairo in December, when Nigeria fielded an understrength side.
However, results were less impressive with the Super Eagles B team at the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN), where Nigeria lost two group matches.
With a new deal effectively assured, Chelle will lead Nigeria into Wednesday’s Africa Cup of Nations semi-final against hosts Morocco at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
Nigeria, playing in Chelle’s preferred 4-4-2 diamond formation, have been among the standout teams of the tournament. They topped Group C with a perfect record after wins over Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda, before beating Mozambique in the last 16 and Algeria in the quarter-finals.
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The Super Eagles have scored 14 goals and conceded four so far, keeping two clean sheets.
A win over Morocco would see Nigeria return to the Africa Cup of Nations final, less than a year after finishing runners-up to Ivory Coast in Côte d’Ivoire.
