Nigeria has appointed former Mali coach Eric Chelle as head coach of its men’s national team.
Augustine Eguavoen had acted as interim manager for the Super Eagles during their successful qualification campaign for the 2025 African Cup of Nations (Afcon).
Former Malian international Chelle spent just over two years in charge of the Eagles, but the 47-year-old was sacked last June.
The West Africans reached the quarter-finals of CAN 2023 last year, where they were eliminated by eventual winners Ivory Coast after extra time.
Nigeria finished second under the captaincy of Jose Peseiro, who left as coach at the end of his contract shortly after the tournament.
A statement from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) said Chelle was tasked with “the responsibility of guiding the Super Eagles to secure a ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.”
The three-time continental champions made a winless start to World Cup qualifying, drawing three of their opening four matches in Group C.
The Super Eagles are four points behind group leaders Rwanda and will travel to Kigali to face Wasps before hosting group bottom Zimbabwe in the next round of matches in March.
Only the group winners are guaranteed a place in the finals in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
The NFF did not disclose the length of Chelle’s contract.
“The fans were waiting for a top coach”
Analysis by Isaiah Akinremi from BBC Sport Africa in Lagos
Eric Chelle is the first non-Nigerian African to take on the role of coach of the Super Eagles, and his appointment has sparked mixed reactions among fans.
A top foreign coach was expected to take charge of a team that boasts big talents such as reigning African Player of the Year Ademola Lookman and 2023 winner Victor Osimhen.
The move follows unsuccessful negotiations last year with two-time Afcon winner coach Hervé Renard and former Sweden coach Janne Andersson, as well as a failed deal with Bruno Labbadia.
Some fans say the reins could have remained in the hands of a Nigerian coach, especially given the success of Augustine Eguavoen in qualifying for the 2025 CAN in Morocco.
However, the disappointing results achieved under Finidi George may have influenced the NFF’s decision to seek an alternative.
Chelle attracted attention after leading Mali to their first victory over the Super Eagles in 50 years in a friendly last March.
With Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign off to a poor start, Chelle will immediately have to win over a passionate fan base when the preliminaries resume in March.
