Super Eagles Head Coach Eric Chelle is owed three months salary and bonuses by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) as the Super Eagles prepare for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.
The Malian coach, who earns $55,000 a month, is reportedly yet to receive his wages for September, October and November. According to Journalist Oluwashina Okeleji he has made no formal complaint to the Nigeria Football Federation.
In a radio interview in November, Chelle declined to confirm whether he was being owed, insisting the matter was strictly between him and his employers.
The unpaid wages extend to his technical staff, as Chelle is responsible for paying the hand-picked assistants who joined him after he took charge in January 2025.
Super Eagles coaching crew led by Eric Chelle. Photo Credit: Imago
The 48-year-old guided Nigeria to the 2026 World Cup playoff, where the Super Eagles lost on penalties to DR Congo. During the tournament cycle in Morocco the players boycotted training 48 hours before the semi-final over unpaid bonuses and allowances dating back to 2019.
Eric Chelle alongside Victor Osimehn in the Super Eagles training session. Photo Credit: NFF COMM
Performances under Chelle, however, improved with four wins and two draws as Nigeria finished second in Group C, behind South Africa.
The Super Eagles also recorded some of their strongest results in recent years, including a 4–1 victory over Benin and a 4–0 win against Gabon.
READ MORE:afcon-2025-ebenezer-akinsanmiro-included-in-super-eagles-final-squad
Chelle accepted a significant pay cut to leave Algerian club MC Oran and sign a two-year contract with Nigeria.
NFF President Gusua, Chelle and NSC Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko.Photo Credit: Getty Images
He met the NFF technical committee in Abuja last week to finalise preparations for AFCON 2025, where the Super Eagles are drawn against Tunisia, Tanzania and Uganda in Group B.
CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE ATHLETIC NG WHATSAPP CHANNEL NOW!
Training camp originally scheduled for December 8 will now open on December 15, after FIFA adjusted the release date for players based outside Africa.
