NFF Backs Chelle After Podium Finish

Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), President Ibrahim Gusau, has hinted that the federation is ready to extend the contract of Super Eagles head coach, Éric Chelle, following Nigeria’s third-place finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.

Nigeria claimed the bronze medal after edging Egypt 4–2 on penalties in the third-place match at the Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca on Saturday, rounding off an impressive tournament campaign.

Tactical Transformation Under Chelle

Chelle, a former Mali national team coach, was appointed head coach of the Super Eagles in January 2025 on a two-year deal. In a short period, the Franco-Malian tactician has overseen a clear tactical transformation, with Nigeria playing expansive, high-intensity football throughout the competition.

Although the Super Eagles fell short of their ultimate target of a fourth AFCON title, Chelle guided the team to third place, with Nigeria emerging as the tournament’s most prolific side, scoring a record 14 goals and remaining unbeaten in regulation time across seven matches.

NFF Praises Chelle Technical Crew

Speaking after the medal ceremony in Morocco, Gusau praised the technical crew and reaffirmed the federation’s confidence in Chelle.

“The NFF is proud of the team’s campaign and will continue to do its best to encourage, support and motivate the team as we go forward,” Gusau said.

“As the head of a hard-working technical crew, Mr. Chelle has done exceedingly well within the time he has been with us. He has shown enormous capacity, and we will continue to work with him.”

Focus Shifts to AFCON 2027

Looking ahead, Gusau emphasised the urgency of building on the momentum generated in Morocco, noting that preparations for the 2027 AFCON to be jointly hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania must begin immediately, with qualifiers set to start in March.

“The journey to the next AFCON starts immediately in March. We do not have the luxury of time to dwell on what we have done here. We must set to work right away,” he said.

“For now, we are excited about the squad we have. A couple of very good players missed the tournament due to injury. The bottom line is that the future looks very bright.”

Chelle’s Impressive Numbers in Historical Context

Under Chelle’s guidance, the Super Eagles impressed against continental heavyweights Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco and Egypt, while also recording convincing victories over Tanzania and Uganda.

By comparison, Nigeria scored eight goals when they won AFCON on home soil in 1980, nine goals during their 1994 triumph in Tunisia, and 11 goals in their 2013 title-winning campaign in South Africa.

(BusinessDay)

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