A top official of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has assured that Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle will receive his outstanding salaries and bonuses soon, ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.
Chelle, who reportedly is owed three months’ salary and bonuses, has yet to make an official complaint to the NFF. The tournament is scheduled to run from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.
A journalist, Shina Okeleji, reported on X that the Malian coach has not raised formal grievances about the delayed payments. In response, an NFF official told The PUNCH:
“Eric came to see us, and we explained the processes. His money will be paid. We have paid him even ahead before, and this time, we are waiting for cash backing from finance. The money on paper has been paid, and the coach is aware.”
The official added, “When they paid him two months ahead, all these were not glorified, and we don’t need this now.”
Earlier in May, the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, disclosed that the commission had made provisions to cover Chelle’s salary up to October through a presidentially endorsed support group, aimed at stabilising Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup qualification campaign.
Chelle, appointed by the NFF in January 2025, guided Nigeria to the African play-off for the 2026 World Cup but lost to DR Congo on penalties, marking consecutive World Cup misses for the Super Eagles.
AFCON 2025 will be Chelle’s third major assignment with Nigeria. The Eagles have been drawn into Group C alongside Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania. The team’s camp opens on December 10, 2025, in Egypt, with an unofficial friendly against the Pharaohs set for December 16.
Group C fixtures:
- December 23: Nigeria vs Tanzania (Complexe Sportif de Fès), Tunisia vs Uganda (Stade Annexe, Rabat)
- December 27: Nigeria vs Tunisia (Fès), Uganda vs Tanzania (Rabat)
- December 31: Uganda vs Nigeria (Fès), Tunisia vs Tanzania (Rabat)
Nigeria, runners-up in the last AFCON after losing 2–1 to hosts Ivory Coast, are chasing a fourth continental title, having previously won in 1980, 1994, and 2013.
