Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has revealed that his appointment by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) was already in motion before he took charge of Algerian side MC Oran.
The 47-year-old former Mali international was officially unveiled in January 2025, becoming the first non-Nigerian African to lead the Super Eagles.
Chelle had guided Mali to the quarterfinals of AFCON 2023 but was still viewed as an outside candidate when the NFF began its search, having also considered high-profile names like ex-Sweden coach Janne Andersson and former Bayer Leverkusen boss Bruno Labbadia.
Eric Chelle reveals Super Eagles interest before Oran move
“When I left the Malian national team, there was a call for applications from the NFF, the Nigerian Federation. So, I applied, just like any other coach. There was a process; a shortlist came out with four or five names, and there were some big-name coaches on it.
”I had an interview, a video conference where I presented my project, my vision, and my philosophy. I thought it would happen much quicker, but events meant I had to wait. So, I went to Oran [in Algeria].
“Right away, I told my president and the board in Oran that this opportunity [with Nigeria] might come up, because I always believed it could. And finally, it happened.
“The club in Oran was very gentlemanly about it and let me leave for this big project.” Chelle told CANAL+ SPORT Afrique.
Chelle avoided defeat in his first two games in charge of the Super Eagles, a 2-0 victory over Rwanda and a 1-1 draw with Zimbabwe in the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Next up for the Super Eagles is the 2025 Unity Cup Invitational Tournament in West London, where Chelle will have the opportunity to further shape his squad and experiment ahead of the resumption of World Cup qualification fixtures later in the year.
