Who is Nigeria coach? What you need to know about the Super Eagles manager as World Cup hopes hang in the balance

The Super Eagles face a tough challenge, with their World Cup qualification hopes under serious threat after recent results.

Nigeria sit fourth in Group C of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers with seven points.

South Africa lead the group with 13 points, while Rwanda and Benin are tied on eight points each, ahead of Nigeria.

The team now has a new head coach. Austin Eguavoen, who oversaw their AFCON qualification, has stepped aside.

Former Mali coach Eric Chelle has taken charge and is tasked with securing a World Cup spot.

He started his tenure with a 2-0 win over Rwanda in Kigali, but followed it with a disappointing 1-1 draw against Zimbabwe in Uyo.

Who is Nigeria coach?

Eric Chelle is the head coach of Nigeria's men's senior side, the Super Eagles.

He was appointed in January 2025, replacing Eguavoen, who held sway after the Bruno Labbadia debacle.

Chelle last coached Algerian side MC Oran before taking over the Nigeria role in 2025.

He also coached the Malian side at the last Africa Cup of Nations in the Ivory Coast, losing 2-1 in the semi-final to the hosts and eventual winners.

Chelle, 47, was born in Abidjan, Ivory Coast

A former professional defender, he played his entire club career in France.

Though he was born in the West African country, Chelle holds French nationality and represented Mali at international level, earning five caps between 2004 and 2006.

At club level, Chelle featured for French sides including Martigues, Valenciennes, Lens, Istres, and Chamois Niortais before retiring.

He then transitioned into management coaching clubs such as GS Consolat, FC Martigues, Boulogne, and MC Oran.

What other candidates were considered to be new Nigeria coach?

Over the course of 2024, several names have been linked with the role of the Super Eagles coach.

Janne Andersson (Sweden)

The former Sweden head coach emerged as one of two leading candidates for the role of Nigeria coach.

The 61-year-old presided over a seven-year tenure with the Scandinavian nation, qualifying them for the 2018 World Cup and 2020 European Championship, and on both occasions progressing beyond the Group Stage.

His lack of experience working within the peculiar terrain of African football was a concern in some quarters, as was the fact that the latter portion of his time in charge of Sweden was rather less accomplished. Following initial success, he subsequently failed to guide the Blagult through qualification for either the 2022 World Cup or 2024 European Championship.

Super Eagles coach: World Cup quarterfinalist confirms positive talks with NFF — Photo by IMAGO

Andersson was understood to have been enthusiastic about the prospect of taking the Super Eagles' reins. “It's a huge footballing nation, so I'm extremely flattered to be in the running to be their next national team coach,” he told Swedish outlet Espressen.

Herve Renard (France)

Former AFCON-winning coach of Zambia and Ivory Coast, Hervé Renard, represented the more exotic option for the role of Nigeria coach.

However, while he boasts the continental expertise that Andersson does not, he would have been the more expensive option. According to reports, the coach requested a monthly salary of $180,000, an amount far too excessive for Nigeria's football governing body to afford.

Who is Nigeria coach: Herve Renard — Photo by Icon Sport

Not only did he achieve the improbable with Zambia and deliver belated AFCON success to the Ivory Coast, he has also led Morocco and Saudi Arabia to creditable performances at the World Cup, memorably beating eventual and reigning world champions Argentina in 2022.

Following the non-materialisation of an agreement with the NFF, Renard has now returned to his former role as Saudi Arabia boss, replacing former Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini.

Tom Saintfiet (Belgium)

Tom Saintfiet is the current coach of the Mali national team, after a six-year spell with the Gambia and a brief stint with the Philippines.

Most of his coaching career has been in Africa, which includes Zimbabwe, Namibia, Malawi, and Togo.

Who is Nigeria coach: Tom Saintfiet — Photo by Icon Sport

The 51-year-old Belgian has always wanted the Super Eagles' top coaching role for many years, and came close to getting it in 2012.

However, due to the infighting in Nigerian football at the time, his wishes did not come to pass.

Saintfiet is currently managing Mali, having taken over the tole, incidentally, from Chelle.

Who will coach Nigeria in the next international window?

The Super Eagles will be back in competitive action in September 2025 as they bid to rescue their hopes of a place at the 2026 World Cup.

Eric Chelle will be in charge of the games against Rwanda in Uyo and away to South Africa when the international window resumes.

Do watch out for the odds of these matches on the Bet9ja mobile app.

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Super Eagles coaches through history

Throughout its storied history, the Nigerian national football team, affectionately known as the Super Eagles, has been guided by a cadre of remarkable managers.

Among these luminaries, Brazilian tactician Otto Martins Glória stands tall, etching his name in Nigerian football folklore by masterminding their first Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) triumph in 1980.

His astute leadership paved the way for subsequent successes, including the appointment of Dutch coach Clemens Westerhof, whose tenure saw Nigeria clinch their second AFCON title in 1994, solidifying their status as a continental powerhouse.

In more recent memory, the indomitable spirit of the Super Eagles was epitomised by the late Stephen Keshi, whose managerial prowess propelled Nigeria to AFCON glory once again in 2013, marking a triumphant return to the summit of African football.

These iconic figures left an indelible mark on Nigerian football and inspired generations of players and fans with their passion, vision, and commitment to excellence.