The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Executive Committee has approved the appointment of Éric Sékou Chelle as the new Head Coach of Nigeria’s senior men’s national football team, the Super Eagles.

Chelle will also be in charge of the home based Super Eagles known as CHAN Eagles

The decision followed the recommendation of the NFF’s Technical and Development Sub-Committee during its meeting held in Abuja on January 2, 2025. The appointment was formally endorsed by the NFF Executive Committee on January 7, 2025.

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

Born in Côte d’Ivoire to a French father and a Malian mother, Chelle was eligible to represent Côte d’Ivoire, France, and Mali. He opted for Mali, earning five caps before retiring.

Immediately after retiring from his playing career in 2014, Chelle ventured into coaching. He cut his teeth at GS Consolat as an assistant manager from 2014–2016, before he was promoted to head coach. He was head coach for only a year and joined FC Martigues, his boyhood club, in 2017.

He was Martigues coach from 2017–2021, and in May 2021, he was announced as head coach of US Boulogne. He was fired seven months later after a run of poor results in which they amassed a paltry three points in ten games

As Mali’s head coach from 2022 to 2024, Chelle led the Aiglons to the quarter-finals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Côte d’Ivoire. Mali came agonizingly close to the semi-finals, losing 2-1 to the eventual champions after extra time. Under his leadership, Mali recorded 14 wins, five draws, and three losses.

Chelle’s tenure with Mali ended in June 2024, but his achievements left a mark, including one of the most memorable performances at the 2023 AFCON.

The Super Eagles’ head coach position became vacant following Finidi George’s resignation after disappointing results in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, including a draw against South Africa and a loss to the Benin Republic.Chelle’s appointment is effective immediately, and his primary task will be to guide Nigeria to secure a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals. The crucial Matchday 5 and 6 qualifiers are scheduled for March.