Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle is set to sign a new contract that will keep him in charge of Nigeria’s senior national team beyond 2026 after the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) reached an agreement on improved terms for the Malian tactician.
The breakthrough was achieved during a high-level meeting between officials of the NSC and the NFF in Abuja on Tuesday, where the future direction of Nigeria’s national football teams was discussed. The agreement ends months of uncertainty surrounding Chelle’s future following protracted negotiations over a contract extension.
Chelle, whose initial two-year deal was due to expire at the end of 2026, had been engaged in talks with football authorities over a new agreement after reportedly changing representatives during negotiations. The discussions centred on improved remuneration and conditions for his technical crew.
Under the new arrangement, the 47-year-old coach is expected to see his monthly salary rise significantly from $50,000 to $100,000. In addition, the NSC and NFF have agreed to assume responsibility for the salaries and welfare of his assistants, relieving him of the obligation to fund members of his backroom staff from his earnings.
NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko confirmed that both parties had reached a consensus on the new terms and expressed confidence that the revised package would strengthen the coach’s commitment to Nigerian football.
“We have reached new terms with the coach about his new remuneration. We are also going to take care of his assistants, and there are other benchmarks that we have put on the table, and I’m sure the coach will be very excited about it,” Dikko said after the meeting.
Beyond retaining his role with the three-time African champions, Chelle has also been handed an additional responsibility in what is being described as a groundbreaking move in Nigerian football administration. The NSC and NFF agreed that the Super Eagles coach will simultaneously oversee Nigeria’s U-23 national team as preparations begin for the men’s football event at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
According to Dikko, the decision is aimed at creating a seamless pathway for young talents progressing from the U-23 setup into the senior national team.
“With the NFF, we also agreed that the coach will take care of the U-23 national team because we have young players coming into the Super Eagles within that age bracket,” Dikko explained.
“So, Eric Chelle and his team, plus other people who will support them, will handle the project. The objective is not to give the coach more work but to start building for the future.”
The move represents a significant shift in the management of Nigeria’s national teams and is expected to foster greater continuity in player development. Several emerging stars currently within the U-23 age bracket are being viewed as future Super Eagles regulars, making the integration of both teams a strategic priority.
Chelle’s stock has risen considerably since guiding Nigeria to a third-place finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. His leadership and tactical approach have earned him the confidence of football authorities, who see him as a key figure in the country’s long-term football development plans.
