Eric Chelle, the new head coach of the Nigerian Super Eagles, will face the most daunting challenge of his managerial career. This will be when he leads the team into the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in March. This appointment marks a historic moment.Chelle becomes the first non-Nigerian African to assume the reins of the Super Eagles. The 47-year-old, who caught the attention of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF)with Mali’s impressive victory over Nigeria last year. He is now tasked with guiding the team to the next World Cup. A feat that has eluded Nigeria in the previous edition.
However, Chelle inherits a team that has stumbled out of the gate in Group C. Failing to secure a single victory in their first four matches. This has already ignited criticism from some quarters. One student association labeling his appointment as “a slap in the face” to homegrown coaches. Despite these early murmurs of discontent, Chelle, described by one pundit as both “kind, courteous, and polite” and “a real fighter,”. He possesses an ambitious spirit that could ignite a spark within the Super Eagles. Having guided Mali to the quarter-finals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), the question remains. Can he inspire one of Africa’s footballing giants to reclaim its former glory?
CHELLE: WHO IS THE NEW SUPER EAGLES COACH.
Born in Ivory Coast to a French father and a Malian mother, Chelle’s professional playing career unfolded entirely in France. He began his journey in the lower leagues with Martigues, steadily climbing the ranks. A pivotal moment arrived when he joined Valenciennes. He played a crucial role in securing two consecutive league titles. Thus culminating in their ascent to the top flight in 2006. However, this success was short-lived, as he later returned to the second tier with Lens.
This move proved to be another turning point. As Lens clinched the title in his debut season, and Chelle earned a well-deserved place in the Ligue 2 team of the year. “Eric works with discipline and unwavering rigor,” remarked Malian sports journalist Salif Diakite. “He possesses a fierce competitive spirit and relentlessly strives for victory in every match. His ambition to become a football coach was evident, and he quickly transitioned from player to coach after retiring.”
Chelle embarked on his coaching journey in 2014 as an assistant coach at GS Consolat. Now known as Athletico Marseille, a French amateur club. Subsequently, he returned to Martigues as head coach in 2017 before joining Boulogne in May 2021. However, his tenure at Boulogne was short-lived, as he was dismissed after just seven months due to a lackluster record of one win in ten games. “Off the pitch, Eric maintains a calm demeanor,” Diakite added. “However, on the field, he demands discipline and pushes his players to their limits.”
MALI: FROM PLAYER TO COACH
Despite his relatively limited experience in the French lower divisions, Chelle made a significant leap in 2022 when he was appointed as the head coach of the Mali national team, surpassing prominent contenders like former Nigeria boss Gernot Rohr and ex-Cameroon coach Winfried Schafer. Although he had only earned five caps for Mali between 2004 and 2006 and had never graced a major international tournament as a player, Chelle confidently embraced the challenge. “This is undoubtedly a significant challenge, and I thrive on such opportunities,” he stated upon joining the Eagles.
Mali impressed during the 2023 Afcon qualifiers, suffering only a single defeat and emerging as the second-highest scorers with an impressive tally of 13 goals. Chelle, employing an attacking 4-3-3 formation, instilled a vibrant style of play within the team. However, despite their attacking prowess, they were unable to progress beyond the quarter-finals at the tournament itself, succumbing to a heartbreaking defeat against the host nation, Ivory Coast. The Elephants snatched a late equalizer in the 90th minute and ultimately secured victory in extra time.
Following a slow start in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, the Malian Football Federation made the decision to part ways with Chelle in June last year. This decision, according to Diakite, met with strong disapproval from both supporters and a section of the squad. “The majority of Malian football fans believed that Eric had the potential to achieve great things with the Eagles,” he explained. “He fostered strong relationships with his players, and their disappointment was evident when he was sacked, with some players even refusing to join the national team.”
THE CHALLENGE
Since his departure from Mali, Chelle’s only managerial experience has been a brief and unsuccessful stint with Algerian club MC Oran. Now, he faces another monumental challenge: leading the three-time African champions, Nigeria, back to the pinnacle of continental football. Super Eagles fans had anticipated the appointment of a high-profile coach, and Diakite acknowledges the enormity of the task ahead.
“I understand the expectations of Nigerian football fans,” he said. “Chelle is a relatively young coach with a limited managerial resume at present. However, his ambition is undeniable.” The outcome of the final six rounds of World Cup qualifiers will be crucial in determining his future with the Super Eagles, potentially influencing his continued involvement beyond the 2025 Afcon, which is scheduled to kick off in December.
Diakite emphasized the need for patience. “Malian football fans hold Eric Chelle in high regard,” he stated. “I sincerely hope that he receives similar consideration from the Nigerian football community.” Chelle may have the opportunity to make an early impression by leading Nigeria at the upcoming African Nations Championship, a tournament exclusively for domestic-based players. NFF president Ibrahim Gusau has confirmed that the new Super Eagles coach will take charge of the team, with the primary objective of integrating promising talents from the Nigerian Premier League into the senior national team.
“Eric demonstrated a keen interest in the Mali Premier Division and consistently included local players in his national team,” Diakite explained. To win over the demanding Nigerian fans and achieve success with the Super Eagles, Chelle will need to effectively leverage all the experience he has accumulated throughout his career.
