NFF CONFIRMS ERIC CHELLE WILL REMAIN SUPER EAGLES COACH DISMISSES SPECULATION

NFF CONFIRMS ERIC CHELLE WILL REMAIN SUPER EAGLES COACH DISMISSES SPECULATION The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has issued a clear update on the future of Super Eagles head coach *Éric Sekou Chelle, rejecting reports linking him to a managerial move abroad and confirming he will continue in his current role. The statement from the Super Eagles’ media team came after speculation in Moroccan media particularly a report from Le7TV via online platform ScoreNigeria suggested Chelle was “close to signing” with top Moroccan club Wydad Casablanca. The Moroccan outlet claimed the coach was poised to replace the club’s current boss amid league action.

However, the NFF swiftly labelled the story “fake news” and urged fans and journalists to disregard it. According to the Super Eagles media officer, Promise Efoghe, Chelle remains fully committed to Nigeria and in charge of the national team’s preparations The 48‑year‑old Franco‑Malian coach, who led Nigeria to a third‑place finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, still has around one year left on his contract with the NFF, which runs until January 2027.

Interest in Chelle has grown after his success with the Super Eagles, with other clubs and national teams reportedly monitoring his availability including sides across Africa and Europe. But the NFF’s clarification appears to quash immediate transfer rumours and confirm continuity in leadership ahead of several upcoming fixtures While speculation over Chelle’s future has been strong in recent weeks, discussions between the coach and the NFF over new terms and conditions for extending his stay are still underway. There remains uncertainty about whether the federation will fully accede to all of Chelle’s demands, which reportedly included multiple contractual improvements.

Chelle is expected to remain at the helm for the Super Eagles’ international schedule later this month, which includes friendly matches that are part of the team’s ongoing development programme. One such proposed fixture against Iran may be affected by broader global tensions.

Éric Chelle was appointed as the Super Eagles’ head coach in January 2025 by the Nigeria Football Federation with the goal of revitalising the squad’s structure and results after a period of coaching changes. His leadership helped Nigeria achieve respectable results at AFCON, reinvigorating optimism among supporters and stakeholders, but it also sparked frequent discussion about his long‑term future due to reported interest from other teams and his own contractual proposals.