Nigeria has extended Eric Chelle’s contract as Super Eagles coach and broadened his role to include the Olympic Eagles in a major boost for long-term football development
The Nigeria Football Federation and National Sports Commission have extended the contract of Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle and expanded his responsibilities to oversee the country’s Under-23 Olympic Eagles team, following a joint meeting in Abuja on Wednesday 24 June 2026.
Eric Chelle, the French tactician appointed in January 2025 with the primary task of guiding Nigeria to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, will now enjoy an improved salary package, with the NSC also taking on the wages of his assistant coaches.
Reports indicate his monthly earnings could rise significantly from around $45,000 to approximately $100,000, though officials have yet to confirm the precise figures.
NSC chairman Shehu Dikko said the government wanted to reward Chelle’s solid work and provide stronger support for his technical team. The move is viewed as a strategic long-term development plan to build a stronger pipeline between youth and senior teams.
Under Chelle’s leadership, the Super Eagles secured third place at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and claimed back-to-back Unity Cup titles in 2025 and 2026.
Despite falling short in World Cup qualification after a narrow playoff loss to DR Congo, the coach has maintained an impressive record of 16 wins, nine draws and just two defeats in 27 matches, remaining unbeaten in regulation time during competitive fixtures.
Chelle will now begin preparations for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games qualification campaign with the Olympic Eagles, with officials believing unified coaching will ease the transition of promising talents into the senior squad.
Shehu Dikko described the decision as “a long-term development plan aimed at building a stronger future for Nigerian football.”
This positive development comes after a period of transition in Nigerian football administration, where stability in coaching has often been elusive.
Retaining Chelle signals continued confidence in his methods and tactical approach, even after the World Cup disappointment, while addressing broader challenges of player development and succession planning.
The extension is expected to bring renewed momentum to the Super Eagles as they look ahead to future competitions, offering hope to fans eager for consistent progress on the continental and global stage.
Victory Emmanuel is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, business, and public affairs.
