National Sports Commission (NSC) has confirmed plans to engage the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in discussions over the future of Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle, despite the federation previously ruling out immediate contract talks.
Chelle, who was appointed in January 2025, led Nigeria to a third-place finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Speaking to Footy Africa, NSC Director General Bukola Olopade said discussions were already being put in motion with the football federation.
“I had dinner with him two days ago at my house in Abuja,” Olopade said.
“I am not the NFF president, but we work collaboratively. That same night, I called the NFF president and hopefully by Tuesday or Wednesday, we will all sit down together.”
NSC DG Olopade. Photo Credit: NSC
The comments come amid reports in Tunisian media suggesting that Chelle has attracted interest from Tunisia, who are said to have offered him a deal worth around $100,000 per month to lead their World Cup qualification campaign, almost double his current salary with Nigeria, which is understood to be about $55,000.
The NSC comments follow remarks made earlier by the NFF president, Musa Gusau, who said there would be no immediate move to extend Chelle’s contract.
Speaking to The Guardian journalist Osasu Obayiuwana after the tournament, Gusau said the coach’s deal was not yet due for review.
“There will be no contract extension discussion with Eric Chelle, the Super Eagles head coach, for now,” Gusau said.
“We signed a two-year deal with him in January 2025. He is only halfway through his contract. In the last six months of his current deal, we can start to look at things.”
Chelle coached at his second AFCON and has surpassed his best finish which was a quarter final with Mali at AFCON 2023. Photo Credit: Making of Champions
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Since taking charge, Chelle has led Nigeria in 17 competitive matches without defeat, winning 11 and drawing six. Under his leadership, the Super Eagles scored a record 14 goals at the Morocco AFCON and remained unbeaten in regulation time across all seven matches.
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Nigeria’s run included strong performances against continental heavyweights Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco and Egypt, as well as victories over Tanzania and Uganda. The third-place finish in Casablanca marked Nigeria’s 17th podium appearance in 21 AFCON tournaments.
