Super Eagles welcome Éric Chelle as head coach: What new record has the Malian set with Nigeria?

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has officially unveiled Éric Sékou Chelle as the new head coach of the Super Eagles, Soccernet.football reports.

The 47-year-old Malian tactician takes over the reins with the primary objective of guiding Nigeria to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.

He becomes the first non-Nigerian African coach to manage the Super Eagles, three-time African champions.

The Nigerian national team has been managed by 19 foreign coaches since the country gained independence in 1960, with all of them being either Europeans or South Americans.

Chelle’s appointment follows a thorough recommendation from the NFF’s Technical and Development Sub-Committee, which was approved by the federation’s Executive Committee earlier this week.

With extensive managerial experience across club and international football, including a recent stint with Mali’s national team, Chelle is tasked with revitalizing the Super Eagles and navigating them through their current World Cup qualification struggles.

The Malian coach comes with a notable resume.

After a modest playing career featuring five caps for Mali and stints with French clubs such as Valenciennes, Lens, and Istres, Chelle transitioned into coaching.

He managed lower-tier French sides, including GS Consolat, FC Martigues, and Boulogne, before being appointed head coach of Mali in 2022.

Under his guidance, Mali reached the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Côte d’Ivoire, where they were eliminated by the hosts after extra time.

Chelle’s emotional reaction to Mali’s AFCON exit, where he was seen hyperventilating and requiring assistance, captured widespread attention. Despite the disappointment, his tenure demonstrated his ability to inspire resilience and passion in his teams.

The Super Eagles, currently fifth in Group C of the World Cup qualifiers and winless after four games, present a daunting challenge for Chelle.

His immediate task will be preparing Nigeria for their next fixtures against Rwanda and Zimbabwe in March, with hopes of reviving the team’s qualifying campaign.

Chelle takes over from caretaker coach Augustine Eguavoen, who guided the Super Eagles through the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.