Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup may be under further threat following reports that West African rivals Guinea are actively pursuing Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle.
Chelle, who also doubles as the manager of Nigeria’s home-based national team (Super Eagles B), was appointed earlier this year after leaving his post at Algerian club, MC Oran.
Since taking charge, the 47-year-old Malian tactician has yet to taste defeat, with his early achievements including lifting the Unity Cup with the Super Eagles in London this past May.
Highly regarded for his tactical acumen and calm leadership, Eric Chelle previously led Mali to the quarterfinals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. His short tenure in Nigeria has injected fresh belief into the national set-up, with many banking on him to guide the country to its seventh World Cup appearance in 2026.
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But that ambition could now be derailed.
According to Romain Molina via Joueurs Guinea, the Guinean Football Federation (FGF), frustrated by drawn-out negotiations with their preferred candidate Paulo Duarte, have turned their attention to Chelle.
While Duarte, formerly of Togo and Burkina Faso, remains the top choice to replace Michel Dussuyer, his high wage demands have caused hesitation within Guinea’s football leadership.
In a bid to settle their coaching dilemma ahead of September’s World Cup qualifiers against Somalia and Algeria, Guinea’s interim sports president Sory Doumbouya is said to have opened unofficial talks with Chelle, who is currently with Nigeria’s Super Eagles B team in Zanzibar as they prepare for the African Nations Championship.
Though Chelle is not Guinea’s first choice, his experience with both A and B national teams and his familiarity with West African football make him a strong fallback option. Should Duarte’s deal collapse, Guinea could move swiftly to make a formal offer.
Chelle’s potential departure would present a major setback for Nigeria, who are under pressure in Group C of CAF qualifying. The Super Eagles currently trail group leaders South Africa by six points and face two must-win fixtures against Rwanda and South Africa in September.
It is not yet clear whether Chelle is entertaining Guinea’s approach, but the FGF appears confident they can tempt the coach away if negotiations with Duarte fail to materialise in the coming days.
Meanwhile, Chelle is keen to make history with Nigeria by becoming the first manager to lead the country to a CHAN title.
Chelle and the home-based Eagles are presently camped in Zanzibar ahead of Nigeria’s opening match at CHAN 2024 against defending champions Senegal.