The Nigeria Soccer Federation (NFF) is making ready to supply Tremendous Eagles head coach Eric Chelle a brand new and improved contract following his spectacular turnaround of the nationwide group,
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Chelle was appointed in January 2025 at a turbulent second in Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying marketing campaign, taking up from interim coach Augustine Eguavoen.
One yr on, the Franco-Malian tactician has steadied the ship and restored confidence, with officers at each the NFF and the Nationwide Sports activities Fee reportedly happy along with his affect.
The previous Mali head coach was initially tasked with guiding Nigeria to no less than the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations, a goal he has now achieved.
In line with an NFF official, reaching the final 4 has mechanically triggered a contract extension, as stipulated in his authentic settlement.
Regardless of early scepticism from sections of the media following his appointment, federation insiders imagine the choice to rent Chelle has been absolutely justified.
Talks over a revised and enhanced deal are anticipated to begin after the AFCON match, as soon as the group returns to Nigeria, barring any unexpected developments.
Chelle’s report with the Tremendous Eagles has been notably sturdy. He’s but to lose a aggressive match in regulation time, boasting 11 wins and 5 attracts from 17 video games.
His solely regulation-time defeat got here in a December pleasant in opposition to Egypt in Cairo, when Nigeria fielded an understrength aspect.
Performances had been much less convincing with the Tremendous Eagles B group on the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN), the place Nigeria misplaced two group matches, however this has not dented confidence in his general management.
With a brand new contract successfully assured, Chelle now turns his consideration to Wednesday’s AFCON semi-final conflict in opposition to host nation Morocco on the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat.
Working in his most well-liked 4-4-2 diamond formation, Nigeria have been among the many standout groups of the match.
The Tremendous Eagles topped Group C with an ideal report in opposition to Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda, earlier than eliminating Mozambique within the spherical of 16 and Algeria within the quarter-finals. They’ve scored 14 targets, conceded 4, and saved two clear sheets to this point.
Victory over Morocco would ship Nigeria again to the Africa Cup of Nations ultimate, lower than a yr after ending runners-up to Ivory Coast in Côte d’Ivoire—one other main endorsement of Chelle’s rising legacy with the Tremendous Eagles.
