2025 African Cup of Nations (Qualifiers): Tunisia qualifies with pain, Gabon and Nigeria pass without playing.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has officially announced the appointment of Eric Chelle as the new head coach of the Super Eagles. The former defender, who had spells at Lens and Valenciennes, takes over from interim coach Augustine Eguavoen as Nigeria struggle in qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
Chelle, 47, who managed MC Oran in Algeria, will leave his post at the club to embark on this major challenge with the Nigerian national team. “His appointment is effective immediately,” the NFF said in an official statement.
Heartbreaking exit with Mali
Prior to his appointment with Nigeria, Chelle had a brief tenure as Mali’s head coach, which began in the spring of 2022 but ended abruptly in June 2024 after World Cup qualifying and the final World Cup. Africa of Nations held in Côte d’Ivoire. Under his leadership, Mali suffered a heartbreaking quarter-final defeat to the host nation, who went on to win the tournament. After her time with Mali, Chelle aimed to return to a position in national team management, a goal now achieved.
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Qualification goals for the 2026 World Cup
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Chelle now faces the crucial task of guiding the Super Eagles to qualification for the 2026 World Cup, with the next qualifiers scheduled for March. Currently, the Super Eagles have just three points after four matches, having endured a difficult campaign since the last Africa Cup of Nations. The Franco-Malian coach, the first foreigner of African origin to lead Nigeria, is seen as the key figure to reverse the trend. Despite successfully qualifying for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with relative ease, Nigeria is still looking for its first World Cup qualifying victory and will face surprise Group C leaders Rwanda, followed by a match against Zimbabwe, currently last in the group. In this high-stakes scenario, Éric Chelle has no room for error.
