Chelle gets new contract to coach Super Eagles and U-23 team

Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle will stay on as head coach of Nigeria’s senior national team. He will also manage the U-23 team after both sides reached a new contract agreement. This was confirmed by Shehu Dikko, the chairman of the National Sports Commission.

Dikko shared this news on Tuesday after a meeting in Abuja with officials from the National Sports Commission and the Nigeria Football Federation. They discussed plans for the future of Nigeria’s national teams.

Chelle’s current two-year contract is set to end in 2026. Talks for a better deal have been going on for a while now.

After Nigeria finished third at the 2025 AFCON in Morocco, Chelle reportedly asked for a monthly salary of $130,000. This amount would also cover the pay for his assistants and other conditions he requested.

Dikko gave an update on the discussions, stating that they have reached an agreement. The new deal will provide better pay for Chelle and also support for his coaching staff.

“We have reached new terms with the coach about his new remuneration. We are also going to take care of his assistants, and there are other benchmarks that we have put on the table, and I’m sure the coach will be very excited about it,” Dikko said after their meeting.

Chelle now has more responsibility as he will also coach Nigeria’s U-23 team. This comes as they prepare for the men’s football event at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

Dikko explained that this is meant to create a smooth transition between the U-23 team and the Super Eagles. Several young players are expected to move up to the Super Eagles soon.

“With the NFF, we also agreed that the coach will take care of the U-23 national team because we have young players coming into the Super Eagles within that age bracket.

“So, Eric Chelle and his team, plus other people who will support them. The objective is not to give the coach more work but to start building for the future,” Dikko added.

Chelle’s new role comes with more pressure. He needs to improve Nigeria’s U-23 team, which has struggled recently.

Like the Super Eagles, who missed out on the last two FIFA World Cups but qualified for the ongoing 2026 tournament, the Olympic Eagles have also not qualified for the last two Olympic Games. They failed to make it to both Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024.