Eric Chelle set to honour Super Eagles contract as NFF’s replacement plan emerges

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) remains confident that Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle will see out his current contract, Afrik-Foot reports.

This is even as discussions continue about the long-term direction of Nigeria’s national team.

Chelle was appointed in January 2025 on a two-year deal with a clear mandate to rebuild the Super Eagles and guide the team through a difficult transition period.

His tenure has produced mixed results. Nigeria narrowly missed qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after falling in the African playoff stage, a setback that intensified scrutiny around his future.

However, the federation views continuity as a key priority. Senior figures within the NFF believe the Franco-Malian coach has established a strong football identity and restored attacking confidence within the squad.

One year of Monseuir Eric.

Eric Chelle’s role as #SuperEagles head coach officially began on this day last year 🦅 pic.twitter.com/0E5NqKa1eB

— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) January 7, 2026

That belief was reinforced during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where Nigeria finished third after defeating Egypt national football team to claim the bronze medal.

Despite public debate among supporters and analysts, internal assessments reportedly favour stability rather than another coaching change. The federation expects Chelle to lead preparations for upcoming international fixtures, including a four-nation invitational tournament in March.

Interest from clubs and national teams abroad has added to speculation about a possible exit, but officials are understood to be planning on Chelle remaining in charge through at least the remainder of his existing agreement.

Super Eagles: NFF prepares contingency plan

While backing their current manager, the NFF has also begun preparing for every possible scenario.

As part of routine succession planning, the federation has identified a United States-based Nigerian coach as a potential replacement should Chelle eventually decide to move on. This is according to Nigerian media outlet Legit.

While no name has been provided, former Nigeria youth international Michael Nsien fits the bill. Nsien, who has coached the United States at under-16 and under-19 levels, applied for the Super Eagles job before Finidi George was appointed in 2024.

This is a breakaway from past transitions, where sudden managerial departures disrupted long-term planning. By quietly monitoring alternatives, officials aim to ensure continuity in philosophy and squad development if change becomes unavoidable.

Gernot Rohr, Jose Peseiro, Augustine Eguavoen and Finidi George all handled the Super Eagles with mixed success before the arrival of Chelle.

The NFF wants any future coach to maintain the attacking style introduced under Chelle while improving consistency in major qualifying campaigns. The emphasis is on building a sustainable project rather than reacting quickly to short-term results.