Eric Chelle contract: Why Nigeria risk losing Super Eagles coach to Côte d’Ivoire, Algeria

The future of Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle is still not fully settled despite positive talks between him and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Afrik-Foot reports.

Chelle became the first non-Nigerian African to coach the Super Eagles when he was appointed in January 2025 on a two-year contract due to end in January 2027. Although Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and also missed the target of winning the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, the team has shown clear improvement under his leadership.

The Super Eagles finished third at the AFCON, played an exciting attacking style of football and scored more goals than any other team at the tournament. The former Lens defender has also introduced several promising young players into the national team, convincing the NFF that he should continue with the project.

With only six months left on his current deal, the NFF and the National Sports Commission (NSC), which is responsible for paying his salary, opened negotiations over a new contract. Chelle reportedly submitted 19 requests during the talks, and many of them were later leaked to the media.

Last week, NSC chairman Shehu Dikko revealed that both sides had reached an agreement on new terms. According to him, Chelle would receive better pay, his backroom staff would also be taken care of, and he would oversee Nigeria’s Under-23 team as part of a long-term plan to prepare future Super Eagles stars.

Côte d’Ivoire and Algeria among countries monitoring Eric Chelle

Many believed Dikko’s comments meant Chelle had already signed a contract extension. However, fresh reports suggest that is not the case.

Negotiations between the coach and the NFF are said to be at an advanced stage, but the agreement has not yet been completed. That delay could become a problem because the former Mali national team coach is a highly sought-after coach in African football.

Afrik-Foot has exclusively gathered that Côte d’Ivoire have now joined the list of countries interested in appointing the Franco-Malian coach. The Elephants suffered a disappointing end to their 2026 World Cup campaign after a 2-1 defeat to Norway despite having Africa’s second most valuable squad. That result has placed coach Emerson Fae under pressure, even after leading the country to the 2023 AFCON title.

Côte d’Ivoire could have an added advantage because Chelle was born in Abidjan. Born to a French father and a Malian mother, he holds Malian, French and Ivorian nationality, giving him strong ties to the West African country.

The interest does not stop there. Algeria, Gabon, Tunisia and Angola have all admired Chelle’s work since the AFCON, while clubs in North Africa are also keeping an eye on him. With both Algeria and Tunisia suffering disappointing World Cup exits, their search for a new coach could increase competition for Chelle’s signature.

Nigeria still have one important advantage. Chelle is already deeply involved in the Super Eagles project and is believed to be focused on helping the team win the 2027 AFCON and qualify for the 2030 FIFA World Cup. If the NFF and NSC successfully complete negotiations, the chances remain high that Chelle will extend his stay in Nigeria rather than accept another job elsewhere in Africa.