NFF president reveals details of Chelle's contract, explains choice of Malian as Nigeria coach

President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Gusau, has disclosed details of newly appointed Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle's contract while explaining the rationale behind selecting the Franco-Malian tactician as Nigeria's head coach.  

Speaking during Chelle's official unveiling on Monday, Gusau highlighted the federation’s focus on appointing a coach with a deep understanding of African football dynamics.  

"Eric is here to work. I want to assure all Nigerians that if Eric can give us what happenned in Mali, by the grace of God we’re going to the World Cup. We want somebody that understand the mentality of African football and Eric is here and by the grace of God he will give us the result," Gusau stated.  

The NFF president further appealed for the support of football enthusiasts across the country while assuring that both the federation and the government would back Chelle with the necessary resources to succeed.  

"The only thing I want from all the stakeholders in Nigeria. Let us support him, I know we at the NFF and the Sport Commission are ready to give me all that is required to do the job," he added.  

Gusau also revealed that Chelle would immediately begin a supervisory role with the home-based Super Eagles (CHAN Eagles) at their training camp in Ikenne, Ogun State.  

"Tomorrow, Eric is going to move to Ikenne to be with our CHAN Eagles. He is going to stay there on a supervisory role, to look at the team and work with them and see how he can inject some of our young players into the team."

"For now, he is going to be with the CHAN team. But it will be in a supervisory role because the issue there is, Eric is not the one that selected the players to be in CHAN."

"But we just have to mandate him to be part of the team. So that he will see what they are doing, all the necessary support they need and from their he can watch what’s going on and see how he can get some of the players into the team."  

Regarding the specifics of Chelle's contract, Gusau confirmed it is a two-year deal with the possibility of a one-year extension.  

"The duration of the contract is two years and with a privilege of an additional one year if he qualifies us for the World Cup," he clarified.  

Chelle's immediate focus will be guiding Nigeria through the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

His first major test will be Nigeria’s doubleheader against Rwanda and Zimbabwe in March 2025.

Adeyemi Adewale

Copyright ANS
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com