The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has appointed Éric Sékou Chelle, a former coach of the Malian national team, as the new Head Coach of the Super Eagles. The announcement, made by the NFF communications department on Tuesday, followed the endorsement of his appointment by the NFF Executive Committee after recommendations from the Technical and Development Sub-Committee.
Born on November 11, 1977, in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, Chelle holds Malian citizenship and was raised in France. A former central defender, he played for notable French clubs such as Valenciennes, Lens, Istres, and Chamois Niortais. Chelle also earned five caps for Mali between 2004 and 2006, before transitioning into coaching.
As a coach, Chelle managed clubs in France and Algeria, including GS Consolat, FC Martigues, Boulogne, and MC Oran, before taking charge of Mali's national team in 2022. During his tenure, he guided Mali to the quarter-finals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, where the Super Eagles finished as runners-up. Chelle's coaching career boasts a record of 67 wins, 40 draws, and 41 losses, with a 45.27% win rate.
Fluent in French, English, and several African languages, Chelle is set to bring his wealth of experience to the Super Eagles. The NFF expressed optimism that his appointment would improve the team's performance and help them achieve greater success in upcoming competitions.
