Chelle's Future with Super Eagles Uncertain as Other Teams Show Interest

Doubts are growing about Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle's future. This is happening as he gets linked with the Algeria national team job. Earlier, there were claims that Chelle had agreed to a new contract with Nigeria, according to PUNCH Sports Extra.

In June, Shehu Dikko, the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, announced during a meeting with the Nigeria Football Federation in Abuja that they had reached an agreement with Chelle for a better deal. This suggested that he would stay on as Nigeria prepares for the 2030 FIFA World Cup and the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.

But new comments from BBC journalist Oluwashina Okeleji show that Chelle has not signed the proposed contract. He has also caught the eye of the Algerian Football Federation and some North African clubs.

"Éric Chelle has not extended his contract with Nigeria and reports to the contrary follow cursory comments by the NSC chairman," Okeleji wrote on X. He added, "The NFF face competition from a host of African countries and North African clubs eager to sign the Franco-Malian coach."

Okeleji further said, "Not every conversation deserves a microphone. Some people rush to the media before the facts are settled, only to end up explaining themselves later. The best officials know the difference between progress and completion. The rest usually find themselves issuing clarifications."

During the meeting, Dikko also mentioned that Chelle would lead Nigeria’s U-23 team for the 2028 Olympic Games. His assistants would also see better pay under the new deal.

PUNCH Sports Extra tried to find out when Chelle would sign the new contract, but officials from both the NSC and the NFF did not respond to calls or messages.

Chelle is currently in the second year of a two-year contract he signed after he was appointed. This deal is expected to end around December 2026 or January 2027.

While Chelle has not yet extended his stay with Nigeria, Algeria and Ivory Coast are reportedly interested in the 48-year-old coach. This is following their failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Although Chelle did not take the Super Eagles to the World Cup, he is still on the radar of several African football federations. These include Angola, Mali, and Tunisia, after he led Nigeria to a third-place finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

As the delay in finalizing a new deal with the NFF continues, Chelle is still working on rebuilding the Super Eagles. He has often said he wants to stay in charge.

"I try to do my job and I want to say thank you for all the support. If I have some time, I will give everything for this national team. Every day I try to improve like a man and like a coach too," Chelle said after Nigeria’s 3-0 victory over Jamaica in May.

The coach is reportedly asking for a monthly salary of $130,000, along with better working conditions. Sources within the NFF told PUNCH Sports Extra that the federation is ready to offer $100,000 per month.

It remains unclear if Chelle will be swayed by bigger offers from other African teams or if he will commit to the Super Eagles by signing the new deal.