Nigerian Football
What Nigerians should expect from new Super Eagles’ manager, Chelle
BY ISAIAH AKINREMI.
New Nigeria boss Eric Chelle will face the biggest challenge of his managerial career when the Malian takes charge of 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in March.
The 47-year-old, who makes history as the first non-Nigerian African to assume the role of Super Eagles head coach, gained the attention of his new employers when he led Mali to a rare victory over Nigeria last year.
After missing out on the last edition of the World Cup in Qatar, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has tasked Chelle with reaching next year’s tournament.
However, he must hit the ground running given the Super Eagles have failed to win any of their first four games in Group C.
Some in the country are already criticising his appointment, with one student association describing it as “a slap in the face” of homegrown coaches.
One pundit who has followed his career has described Chelle as a “kind, courteous, and polite” man, but also as “a real fighter” and an ambitious coach.
Having reached the quarter-finals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) with Mali, will he be able to inspire one of the continent’s footballing heavyweights?
Showing ‘fighting spirit’
Most of Eric Chelle’s professional appearances came during his spell with French side Valenciennes between 2003 and 2008
Chelle, born in Ivory Coast to a French father and a Malian mother, spent his entire professional playing career in France, beginning in the lower leagues with Martigues.
The centre-back moved to Valenciennes and helped win two consecutive league titles to reach the top flight in 2006, but then dropped down to the second tier two years later to join Lens.
More success followed as his new club won the title in his debut season, with Chelle named in the Ligue 2 team of the year.
“Eric works with discipline and rigour,” Malian sports journalist Salif Diakite told BBC Sport Africa.
“He has the fighting spirit [and] wants to win all his matches. He aspired to become a football coach.
“He quickly hung up his boots to devote himself to his coaching career. I’m not surprised to see Eric becoming [a] coach.”
Chelle started that path in 2014 as an assistant with GS Consolat (now known as Athletico Marseille), a French amateur club.
He re-joined Martigues as head coach in 2017 before joining Boulogne in May 2021.
However, he was dismissed just seven months later by the third-tier outfit after one win in 10 games.
“Eric is a quiet coach out of the pitch, but on the pitch, he is tough with his players,” Diakite added.
Stepping up with Mali
Mali won their group at the 2023 Afcon finals under Chelle, finishing ahead of South Africa and Tunisia
Despite having only managed in the French lower divisions, Chelle next made the step up to international football.
Mali selected him to take charge in May 2022 – ahead of former Nigeria boss Gernot Rohr and ex-Cameroon coach Winfried Schafer.
Chelle, who also holds French citizenship, had won five caps for Mali between 2004 and 2006 but had never appeared at a major tournament. Yet he felt he was ready to manage his country.
“It is definitely a big challenge and I do like to challenge myself,” he said after joining the Eagles.
Mali certainly impressed in qualifying for the 2023 Afcon, losing just one game and finishing as the second-highest scorers with 13 goals.
Yet, playing at attacking game with a 4-3-3 formation, Chelle could not lead a talented side past the quarter-finals at the tournament itself after a heart-breaking defeat by hosts Ivory Coast.
Mali seemed certain of victory but the Elephants scored a 90th-minute equaliser and then a 122nd-minute winner.
After a slow start in 2026 World Cup qualifying, with one win from their first four games, the Malian Football Federation fired Chelle in June last year.
Diakite says that decision was “badly received” by supporters and a section of the squad.
“Most Malian football fans believed that Eric could do something with Eagles,” he explained.
“[He] had a very good relationship with his players. When he was sacked, some of his players had refused to come to the national team.”
An ‘enormous’ challenge with Nigeria
Nigeria’s Super Eagles last featured at the World Cup finals in 2018 in Russia
Since leaving Mali, Chelle’s only job has been a short and unsuccessful stint with Algerian club MC Oran.
Now comes another big step up to manage three-time continental champions Nigeria, the runners-up at the 2023 Afcon.
Super Eagles fans had expected a high-profile coach to take charge, and Diakite accepts the challenge is “enormous”.
“I understand the feeling of Nigerian football fans,” he said.
“He (Chelle) is a young coach. His record is blank [at] the moment, but he is ambitious.”
Results in the final six rounds of World Cup qualifiers will be crucial in deciding whether Chelle is kept on for the 2025 Afcon, which kicks off in December.
But Diakite suggests patience is required.
“Malian football fans have a lot of admiration for Eric Chelle.
“I hope that he will have the same consideration in Nigeria.”
Chelle may well lead Nigeria at next month’s African Nations Championship, the tournament for domestic-based players.
NFF president Ibrahim Gusau said the new Super Eagles coach would be the one to manage the side – with the aim of “injecting” Nigerian Premier League players into the senior national team.
“Eric used to follow the local league (Mali Premier Division) a lot. We always found a local player in his national team,” Diakite explained.
In order to win over demanding fans and deliver results with the Super Eagles, Chelle will need to draw on all the experience he has gathered so far.
-BBC
Follow the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
By Kunle Solaja.
Nigeria’s planned participation in a four-nation invitational tournament later this month is facing serious uncertainty after a significant escalation in Middle Eastern tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
The Super Eagles were scheduled to compete in Amman, Jordan, from March 27 to 31, alongside Iran, Jordan and Costa Rica, as part of preparations for future competitive fixtures and squad building. But recent geopolitical developments have cast doubt over whether the event can still go ahead as planned.
An official of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) confirmed to Sports Village Square that the situation is being closely monitored, with security and travel concerns emerging as key factors in deciding the tournament’s fate.
The doubts stem from joint military strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran, which triggered a sharp escalation in hostilities and sparked retaliatory actions across the region, including reports of attacks and counter-attacks in neighbouring countries.
The unfolding crisis has already led to airspace closures, flight cancellations and broader travel disruptions in the Gulf and Levant, complicating international travel plans for teams and supporters alike.
The Super Eagles had planned to open the tournament against Iran on March 27 at the Amman International Stadium before facing hosts Jordan four days later. However, Iran’s participation itself is now in question as the security situation deepens and Iranian football authorities weigh their options amid the conflict.
The tournament was seen as a valuable opportunity for head coach Eric Chelle to assess his squad in a competitive setting before the next major competitions, which include the 2027 Afcon qualifiers.
Jordan, who will make their own debut at the 2026 World Cup, was using the event to build momentum on home soil, but the escalating crisis places not just Nigeria’s fixtures at risk, but the entire mini-tournament.
The NFF has not yet announced an alternative plan should the tournament be cancelled or postponed.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Matchday drama unfolded across centres in the Nigeria Premier Football League(NPFL) as title contenders stumbled, traditional powerhouses flexed their muscles, and the race for continental places tightened significantly.
Rivers United’s grip at the top suffered a dent after a shock 1–0 defeat to Bayelsa United in a tense South-South derby. The slim victory handed Bayelsa a crucial three points while slowing Rivers’ momentum at a critical stage of the season.
The biggest statement of the weekend came from Bendel Insurance, who dismantled Ikorodu City 4–0 in a ruthless display. Insurance were clinical from start to finish, overpowering their visitors and boosting both their goal difference and their standing in the upper half of the table. For Ikorodu City, who had been firmly in the mix near the summit, the heavy loss could prove costly in the long run.
Enugu Rangers also strengthened their position with a composed 2–0 victory over Nasarawa United. The Flying Antelopes controlled proceedings and capitalised on their chances, ensuring maximum points against a direct rival in the race for honours. With Rivers United dropping points, Rangers’ win significantly narrows the gap at the top.
In Aba, Enyimba were held to a 1–1 draw by Kun Khalifat in a fiercely contested encounter. The People’s Elephant had to settle for a point despite home advantage, a result that may affect their ambitions of climbing into the continental qualification spots.
Elsewhere, Niger Tornadoes and Warri Wolves played out a goalless draw in a tightly fought affair where defences dominated, and clear chances were scarce.
Remo Stars continued their battle against relegation with a 2–0 triumph over Katsina United in Ikenne.
Remo Stars begin redemption course with a 2-0 defeat of Katsina United
Ibadan, Shooting Stars delighted their supporters with a spirited 2–1 victory over Kano Pillars. The Oluyole Warriors demonstrated resilience and tactical discipline to edge the encounter, keeping their push for a higher finish on track.
Sunday Results
- Bayelsa United 1-0 Rivers United
- Bendel Insurance 4-0 Ikorodu City
- Enugu Rangers 2-0 Nasarawa United
- Enyimba 1-1 Kun Khalifat
- Niger Tornadoes 0-0 Warri Wolves
- Remo Stars 2-0 Katsina United
- Shooting Stars 2-1 Kano Pillars
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
The race for promotion in the 2025/2026 season of the Nigeria National League (NNL) has gathered momentum, with relegated sides Akwa United and Doma United pushing strongly for an immediate return to the Nigeria Premier Football League.
Both former top-flight campaigners have shown resilience since dropping to the second tier last season. Akwa United currently lead Conference B with a game in hand, underlining their determination to bounce back at the first attempt. Meanwhile, Doma United sit atop Conference C despite suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat to Sokoto United on Matchday 11.
Southern Conference Delivers Drama
Matchday 11 in the Southern Conference produced thrilling encounters, further tightening the race for promotion.
In Conference A, two away wins, one home victory and a draw defined the round. The headline fixture between table-toppers Inter-Lagos FC and second-placed Beyond Limit FC ended in a goalless stalemate in Abeokuta. The result ensured Inter-Lagos maintained their grip on first place, though Beyond Limit remain firmly in contention.
Elsewhere, Smart City edged Edel FC 1-0, Gateway United secured a similar 1-0 win over Crown FC, while Sunshine Stars boosted their campaign with a convincing 2-0 triumph over Abia Comets. The victories have intensified the competition in what is shaping up to be one of the most closely fought groups in the league.
Conference B: Akwa United Hold Firm
Conference B continues to heat up as teams battle for supremacy. Osun United claimed a crucial 1-0 away victory at Abakaliki FC, while Rovers FC defeated Stormers 1-0 in Calabar.
Despite the pressure from chasing teams, Akwa United remain firmly in control at the summit. With a game in hand, the Promise Keepers are well-positioned to strengthen their promotion bid in the coming weeks.
Conference C: Doma United Stay Ahead
In Conference C, Sokoto United handed leaders Doma United a 1-0 setback, but the defeat did little to dislodge them from the top. Doma remain on 19 points, narrowly ahead of FC Basira, who climbed to 18 points after a 2-0 win over Lobi Stars.
The slim margin between the top sides suggests a tense battle ahead, with every point likely to prove decisive in the quest for a top-two finish.
Conference D: Northern Battle Intensifies
Yobe Desert Stars moved temporarily to the summit of Conference D with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Ranchers Bees, taking their tally to 15 points. Jigawa Golden Stars edged Adamawa United 1-0, while Gombe United and Kebbi United settled for a goalless draw.
Promotion Race Wide Open
With each conference producing unpredictable outcomes, the NNL promotion race remains delicately poised. For traditional heavyweights Akwa United and Doma United, the objective is clear: secure one of the coveted promotion spots and return to the Nigeria Elite League.
As the season progresses, the intensity is expected to rise further, with fans across the country watching closely to see which clubs will earn the right to rejoin Nigeria’s top-flight next season.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
NFF Slaps N1m Fine on Clubs that Fail to Honour Federation Cup Matches
Heineken Brings “Fans Have More Friends” Campaign to Nigeria for Champions League Round of 16
Iraq coach calls for delay to World Cup playoff amid travel shutdown
- WAFCON4 days ago
BREAKING: CAF Postpones WAFCON 2026
- World Cup10 hours ago
Iraq coach calls for delay to World Cup playoff amid travel shutdown
- OBITUARY5 days ago
Nigerian Sports Journalism Mourns Oyeniyi Oyeleke and Tonex Chukwu
- MLS1 week ago
Trump to Host Lionel Messi and Inter Miami at the White House
- DIPLOMACY11 hours ago
Morocco Backs Gulf Security, Condemns Iranian Attacks Against Brotherly Arab States
- World Cup6 days ago
‘I really don’t care’ if Iran plays in World Cup, Trump tells Politico
- World Cup4 days ago
Iraq’s World Cup Playoff in Doubt as War Disrupts Travel and Visa Processing
- FA Cup2 days ago
Eze thunderbolt guides Arsenal past Mansfield into FA Cup quarter-finals