The Director General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade has confirmed contract extension talks with Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle.
Chelle has been in charge of the Super Eagles for a year, halfway into the two-year contract he signed when the NFF appointed him in January 2025.
He failed to help Nigeria qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which was the primary objective for his appointment, as confirmed by the NFF. The NFF set a target of at least reaching the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations at the start of the tournament, matching Nigeria’s outing at the 2023 edition.
However, Chelle was not successful in both objectives, losing the World Cup play-offs to DR Congo on penalties and finishing third at AFCON 2025 in Morocco.
However, the Franco-Malian received overwhelming support from Nigerians to continue in charge of the team due to the progression shown in Morocco.
NFF agrees with the voice of Nigerians. However, Chelle has a year left on his contract, which he is happy to fulfill, but the federation has yet to speak about an extension.
NSC DG Bukola Olopade confirmed in an interview with Footy Africa that he had spoken to the NFF about discussions over a contract extension.
“I had dinner with him two days ago at my house in Abuja. I am not the NFF President, but we operate with a collaborative approach, and Eric Chelle has become both a brother and a friend,” Olopade said.
“That same night, I called the NFF president, and hopefully by Tuesday or Wednesday, we will all sit down together.”
Olopade confirmed that other countries are interested in Chelle, but the manager will continue with the Super Eagles.
“We must not forget that Eric thrived because he had the right equipment and instruments, the quality personnel he used to execute his ideas. It was not just about coaching; it was about the ability he found within the team,” he added.
Chelle’s schedule in 2026 is yet to be fully confirmed, with optimism that Nigeria could still participate in the World Cup playoff in place of DR Congo.
