This article was automatically translated from HIBAPRESS, the Arabic version:
HIBAPRESS-RABAT-FIFA
Eric Chelle has been named Nigeria coach
The 47-year-old technician will direct his first matches in March
The Super Eagles have had a difficult start to qualifying for the 26 FIFA World Cup™
Nigeria has appointed Eric Chelle as coach of its men’s national team, replacing Augustine Eguavoen, technical director of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) who was leading the team on an interim basis.
According to an NFF press release, Chelle, the former Mali coach, “has the responsibility of guiding the Super Eagles to the 26 FIFA World Cup™”.
Nigeria have their work cut out for them if they want to participate in the tournament. In their first four matches in Group C of the Africa zone qualifiers, the Nigerians have drawn three matches and suffered one defeat. They will resume their campaign in March, with a trip to Rwanda and the reception of Zimbabwe.
Born in Ivory Coast, former defender Éric Chelle represented Mali five times. At club level, he spent his entire career in France, wearing the colors of FC Martigues, Valenciennes, RC Lens, FC Istres and Chamois Niortais.
After hanging up his boots, Chelle launched his coaching career. It was with the Mali national team that he distinguished himself the most. Chelle, who led the team for two years from 2022 to 2024, notably took the Eagles to the quarter-finals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, where they were eliminated by Ivory Coast, future champion (2-1 ap).
