With just 11 days to the kickoff of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle is facing a tense standoff with the Nigeria Football Federation over three months of unpaid salary, even as he is yet to release his final squad for the tournament.
AFCON 2025 runs from December 21, 2025 to January 18, 2026, and participating nations can register up to 28 players. The deadline for submitting the final squad is Thursday, December 11, while clubs must release selected players by Monday, December 15.
The NFF released Chelle’s 54-man provisional list last week, but attention quickly shifted on Tuesday after reports emerged that the Franco-Malian tactician had not been paid for months.
Sports journalist Shina Okeleji wrote on X that Chelle is owed three months’ salary and bonuses, although he has not formally complained to the NFF.
A top NFF official, however, confirmed that the payment is being processed.
“Eric met with us, and we explained the situation. His money will be paid. We’ve paid him ahead before, and this time we’re waiting for cash backing. On paper, the payment has been approved, and the coach knows this,” the official said.
He also noted that earlier advance payments to the coach were never publicised but added, “We don’t need this kind of distraction now.”
In May, the National Sports Commission chairman Shehu Dikko revealed that the commission had arranged for Chelle’s salary to be paid upfront until October through a special presidential support group, giving the NFF time to secure long-term funding.
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Chelle, appointed in January, led Nigeria through a turbulent 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign that ended in heartbreak as the Eagles lost on penalties to DR Congo in the final play-off.
AFCON 2025 will be his third major assignment with Nigeria. The Super Eagles are drawn in Group C alongside Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania.
The team is expected to open camp in Egypt on Wednesday, December 10, with an unofficial friendly against Egypt set for December 16.
Nigeria’s first match is against Tanzania on December 23 in Fès. The highly anticipated clash with Tunisia holds on December 27, while the group’s final matches come up on December 31.
The Super Eagles, runners-up at the last AFCON, are chasing a fourth continental title, having previously lifted the trophy in 1980, 1994, and 2013.
