NSC Director General Confirms Contract Extension Discussions With Super Eagles Boss Eric Chelle
The Director General of Nigeria's National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, has officially confirmed that contract extension talks are underway with Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle. This development comes as the Franco-Malian tactician approaches the final year of his initial two-year agreement with the Nigeria Football Federation.
Mixed Results Under Chelle's Leadership
Eric Chelle, who assumed leadership of the Super Eagles in January 2025, has experienced both successes and disappointments during his tenure. While he guided the Nigerian national team to a respectable third-place finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, he failed to achieve the primary objective of his appointment: securing qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Nigeria's World Cup hopes ended dramatically with a penalty shootout defeat to DR Congo during the playoffs.
The NFF had established clear targets for Chelle at the beginning of the 2025 AFCON tournament, expecting at minimum a repeat of Nigeria's runner-up performance from the 2023 edition. Although the team fell short of reaching the final, their overall progression and performance in Morocco generated significant public support for Chelle's continuation as coach.
NSC DG Provides Insight Into Discussions
In an exclusive interview with Footy Africa, NSC Director General Bukola Olopade revealed details about the ongoing contract discussions. "I had dinner with him two days ago at my house in Abuja," Olopade disclosed. "I am not the NFF President, but we operate with a collaborative approach, and Eric Chelle has become both a brother and a friend."
Olopade further explained that he had initiated communication with the NFF president regarding the matter, stating, "That same night, I called the NFF president, and hopefully by Tuesday or Wednesday, we will all sit down together." The NSC DG emphasized that despite interest from other national teams in securing Chelle's services, the coach remains committed to Nigeria, benefiting from what Olopade described as "the quality personnel he used to execute his ideas."
Future Prospects and Challenges
The immediate future presents several possibilities for Chelle and the Super Eagles. Nigeria maintains hope for World Cup participation through a pending petition that could potentially replace DR Congo in the playoffs. If successful, Chelle would lead the team during crucial World Cup qualification matches in Mexico during March, with potential tournament participation in June should Nigeria advance.
Should the World Cup opportunity not materialize, the Super Eagles will focus their attention on qualifying for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, with matches scheduled during the September and October international breaks. Meanwhile, NFF technical director Augustine Eguavoen has expressed some disappointment regarding Chelle's team selection approach during AFCON 2025, particularly noting the absence of Nigeria Premier Football League players from the squad.
The contract extension discussions occur against a backdrop of divided opinions about Chelle's performance, balancing his failure to achieve primary objectives against demonstrated team progression and substantial public support for his continued leadership of Nigeria's national football team.
