NFF awards Eric Chelle $100k contract, adds U-23 team role
NFF signed Eric Chelle to a new contract worth approximately $100,000, ending months of negotiation after his 19-point proposal demanded $130,000 monthly for himself and staff. Chelle, appointed Jan 2025, failed to qualify Super Eagles for 2026 World Cup but led them to AFCON semi-finals, losing to Morocco and Egypt on penalties.
The deal also puts him in charge of the U-23 team, targeting qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics—a first Olympic appearance since bronze in Rio 2016. Analyst Clinton McDubus says the salary reflects his value, noting other African nations view him as a strong option and praising his clear playing philosophy and integration of new talents. McDubus explains that the idea is for Chelle to oversee the progression of the next batch of talents ready to enter the senior national team.
With upcoming AFCON qualifiers, Chelle must deliver results; Nigerians can watch whether he translates club-level success into trophies, and consider if expanding his remit to youth development will pay off for the Super Eagles future.