Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle will remain in charge of Nigeria’s senior national team and has also been handed responsibility for the U-23 side after agreeing new contract terms with the Nigeria Football Federation.
According to The Punch, the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, disclosed this on Tuesday after a meeting between officials of the NSC and the NFF in Abuja.
Chelle’s current two-year contract is scheduled to expire at the end of 2026, but discussions over an improved deal have been ongoing in recent months following Nigeria’s third-place finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
The Franco-Malian coach was previously reported to have requested a monthly salary package of $130,000, which would also cover the wages of his assistants and other contractual conditions.
Speaking after the meeting, Dikko confirmed that both parties had reached an agreement on fresh terms that include improved remuneration and support for the coach’s technical crew.
“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.
In addition to managing the Super Eagles, Chelle will now oversee the Olympic Eagles as Nigeria begins preparations for the men’s football event at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Dikko explained that the decision was designed to create a smoother pathway for young players progressing from the U-23 team into the senior national side.
“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.
“So, Eric Chelle and his team, plus other people who will support them. The objective is not to give the coach more work but to start building for the future,” he added.
The expanded role places additional responsibility on Chelle, who will be expected to revive the fortunes of Nigeria’s U-23 team after consecutive failures to qualify for the men’s football tournament at both the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
The move is also part of a broader strategy to strengthen the country’s football development structure and ensure continuity between the youth and senior national teams.
