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Former Mali Defender Has Been Named The New Head Coach Of Nigeria Former Mali Defender Has Been Named The New Head Coach Of Nigeria

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Former Mali Defender Has Been Named The New Head Coach Of Nigeria

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The Nigeria Football Federation has officially appointed Eric Chelle as the head coach of the senior national team of Nigeria.

He succeeds Augustine Eguavoen, who served in an interim capacity after Ajax legend Finidi George resigned less than two months into his appointment.

During its meeting on January 2, 2025, in Abuja, the Technical and Development Sub-Committee recommended Eric Chelle for the position, and the NFF Executive Committee approved the appointment on Tuesday.

The NFF stated that the former RC Lens center-back would assume immediate responsibility as head coach of the Super Eagles and will lead the team through the remaining 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

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Chelle earned five international caps for the Mali senior national team between 2004 and 2006. The 47-year-old, who also holds French nationality, spent his entire playing career in France, where he represented clubs including Martigues, Valenciennes, Lens, Istres, and Chamois Niortais before retiring in 2014.

Immediately after retiring from professional football, Chelle transitioned into management, taking charge of GS Consolat, FC Martigues, and Boulogne.

In 2022, he was appointed head coach of the Mali senior national team following Mohamed Magassouba’s dismissal. Under his leadership, the Eagles secured qualification for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

However, their campaign came to an end in the quarterfinals with a 2-1 defeat against the host nation, Cote d’Ivoire, despite having taken an early lead. Following this, he was dismissed by the Malian Football Federation on June 13, 2024.

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Before he was appointed Nigeria’s head coach, Chelle was named head coach of MC Oran, a top-tier team in the Algerian Elite Division.

His appointment has sparked mixed opinions regarding his suitability. Nevertheless, his primary task will be to lead the 2013 African champions, Nigeria, to qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The Super Eagles currently sit fifth in Group C, having garnered only three points from four matches. They will aim to rejuvenate their struggling campaign when they travel to Rwanda to face off at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali in March.