The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has dismissed speculation surrounding the future of Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle, affirming that the Franco-Malian tactician remains committed to the national team.
Reports had linked Chelle with potential moves to other national teams, including Tunisia and Angola. However, NFF President Ibrahim Gusau said the coach is still under contract and remains central to Nigeria’s football plans.
“We still have a one-year contract with Eric, and therefore whatever interest anybody will show on him, he has to wait until his contract expires,” Gusau said in an interview shared by the Super Eagles’ media team.
Chelle guided the Super Eagles to a third-place finish at the last Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, a performance that reportedly increased his profile across the continent.
Gusau stressed that the federation is keen to avoid distractions and protect the progress made under Chelle’s leadership.
“And basically, you know, we don’t want to bring some distraction on him, because we quite well understand that he enjoys working with Nigeria,” he said.
The NFF president also dismissed suggestions that financial incentives or short-term opportunities elsewhere should influence Chelle’s decision.
“Because it’s not about a team is interested in you, and it’s not about because he has gotten the results with the Super Eagles. So if you go to the other team, despite the fact that they are going to give him more money, he’s going to get the results. That’s not the issue,” Gusau stated.
According to him, the key factor for any coach is having the right environment and players to achieve success.
“The issue is that do they have the materials for him to work with, to achieve what he wants to achieve. The dream of every single coach is to make sure that he achieves success, especially on higher tournaments,” he added.
Gusau emphasised that career fulfilment, rather than financial reward, should guide such decisions.
“So when you are saying that I want the coach, we are going to look for the coach to come and we are going to pay him a certain amount of money, it’s not the issue of the money, but will he achieve what he wants to achieve in his career? Or is he just going there for the money?” he said.
He further revealed that the federation has discussed Chelle’s future with him on several occasions and expressed confidence in the coach’s commitment.
“So he has so much belief in the Super Eagles, and he has every confidence that he can achieve all his dreams with the Super Eagles. So that’s the key thing that I believe in, and I know we discussed it several times with him,” Gusau said.
The federation maintains that Chelle remains fully focused on the Super Eagles project as preparations continue for upcoming international competitions.
