The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has appointed Éric Sékou Chelle as the new Head Coach of the Super Eagles, Nigeria’s senior men’s national football team. Chelle will also oversee the home-based Super Eagles, known as the CHAN Eagles.

The decision was approved by the NFF Executive Committee following the recommendation of its Technical and Development Sub-Committee during a meeting in Abuja on January 2, 2025. The appointment was officially ratified on January 7, 2025.

Chelle, 47, is a former head coach of Mali’s national team and brings extensive coaching experience, having managed clubs like GS Consolat, FC Martigues, Boulogne, and MC Oran. As a player, he represented clubs such as Martigues, Valenciennes, Lens, Istres, and Chamois Niortais during his career in France.

Born in Côte d’Ivoire to a French father and a Malian mother, Chelle was eligible to represent Côte d’Ivoire, France, and Mali at the international level but chose Mali, earning five caps before retiring.

Chelle transitioned to coaching immediately after his retirement in 2014, starting as an assistant at GS Consolat before becoming the head coach. He later managed his boyhood club, FC Martigues, from 2017 to 2021, followed by a brief stint at US Boulogne in 2021.

As Mali’s head coach from 2022 to 2024, Chelle guided the Aiglons to the quarter-finals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Côte d’Ivoire, where they narrowly lost 2-1 after extra time to the eventual champions. Under his leadership, Mali achieved 14 wins, five draws, and only three losses, cementing his reputation as a tactician.

The Super Eagles coaching role became vacant after Finidi George resigned following underwhelming performances in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, including a draw against South Africa and a defeat to Benin Republic.

Chelle’s appointment is effective immediately, and his primary mission will be to secure Nigeria’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The decisive Matchday 5 and 6 qualifiers are set for March.