The Nigeria Football Federation is facing a major crisis just days before the crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup playoffs, with reports confirming that Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has not received his salary for two months.
Salary Delay Threatens World Cup Dreams
A top NFF official has admitted that the federation has failed to pay Eric Chelle and his backroom staff their due salaries, creating tension within the Super Eagles camp. The revelation comes at the worst possible time - just two days after Chelle announced his 24-man squad for the critical World Cup qualification matches.
The 47-year-old Malian-born coach, who was appointed in January 2025, has been instrumental in reviving Nigeria's World Cup hopes. Under his leadership, the Super Eagles climbed from fourth position in CAF Group C with only three points to finish second in the qualifiers last October.
Chelle's Impressive Turnaround Record
Despite the financial challenges, Eric Chelle has delivered remarkable results since taking charge of the three-time Africa Cup of Nations champions. His team collected an impressive 14 points from a possible 18 during the qualifiers, securing four victories and two draws against Zimbabwe and South Africa.
The highlight of Chelle's tenure came on the final day of the group stage when Nigeria recorded their biggest victory of the qualifying series, defeating Benin Republic 4-0. This crucial win positioned Nigeria among the best second-placed teams on the continent, earning them a playoff spot for the World Cup.
Following this successful campaign, the NFF's Technical Committee reviewed Chelle's performance last October and unanimously approved his continuation as head coach for the upcoming World Cup playoffs.
Mounting Financial Crisis
According to reliable sources, Coach Chelle is currently owed two months' salary, with the NFF official blaming government bureaucratic bottlenecks for the delay. The official revealed that the federation leadership recently managed to clear two months of salary arrears after Nigeria secured the playoff slot, with promises to ensure prompt payments going forward due to Chelle's excellent performance.
The situation has become so dire that Chelle is reportedly finding it difficult to pay his assistants, who have been working directly under him since his appointment last January.
When confronted with questions about his unpaid salaries during an interview with Super Eagles legend Segun Odegbami on Eagle7 103.7FM, Chelle diplomatically avoided the topic, stating: "That's between me and my employers."
Broader Financial Problems in Super Eagles
The coaching staff salary crisis mirrors similar financial challenges facing the players. A senior member of the Super Eagles recently revealed that players are being owed match bonuses for at least two years, creating additional pressure on the team ahead of their critical Africa playoff campaign.
Despite these financial frustrations, there are no indications that the team's focus has wavered as they prepare for their World Cup qualification matches. However, the timing of these revelations could not be worse, with Nigeria aiming to qualify for this year's Mundial after missing the 2022 edition in Qatar.
Chelle, who is reportedly set to earn a lucrative $50,000 monthly salary making him one of the highest-paid coaches on the African continent, continues to maintain professional silence on the matter while preparing his team for their crucial upcoming matches.
