Lawal doubts NFF can pay Chelle’s $100k salary

Former Super Eagles player Garba Lawal is worried about the Nigeria Football Federation's ability to keep paying the $100,000 monthly salary for Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle. This worry comes after the federation extended Chelle's contract. Also, former Eagles coach Finidi George said giving Chelle two major roles might not be a good idea.

Chelle joined the Super Eagles in January 2025 on a two-year contract. His contract has now been extended until 2030 by the National Sports Commission. The Franco-Malian coach started with a salary of $50,000 a month, which included his assistants' pay. He asked for $130,000 during contract talks. The final amount of $100,000 is a big jump, and the NFF is now also handling payments for his coaching staff. Chelle will also oversee the U-23 team as they prepare for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games qualifiers.

Chelle helped Nigeria during the 2026 World Cup qualifying matches. The team had four wins and two draws, which took them to the play-offs. They beat Gabon but lost to DR Congo. He also led the team to win a bronze medal at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations held in Morocco.

Lawal sees the positive side of Chelle's appointment but has doubts about the financial side of things.
"This is very good for Nigeria. Eric Chelle can call up players who perform very well in the Olympics. I only fear that Nigeria cannot sustain that $100,000 payment," Lawal told Brila.

Finidi, who managed the Super Eagles for a short time after Jose Peseiro left, also questioned the decision to give Chelle both the senior team and the Olympic team to manage.
"Super Eagles is already stress enough for him. Do not add more stress to it because you are paying him $100,000. Tell him your expectations and target on the Super Eagles and let him concentrate on that. Let him get this job done. There are other Nigerian coaches that can do it. Let them improve. There should be a division of labour," the former Ajax player said.

Chelle’s first job is to prepare the Super Eagles for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, which will start in September.