Chelle yet to sign new Eagles deal as rivals circle

Fresh doubts have emerged over the future of Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle following renewed links with the Algeria national team job, despite earlier claims that the Franco-Malian had agreed to a new contract with Nigeria, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

In June, Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, announced during a high-level meeting with the Nigeria Football Federation in Abuja that an agreement had been reached with Chelle over an improved deal, suggesting the coach would continue in charge as Nigeria begins preparations for the 2030 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign and the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.

However, fresh comments by BBC journalist Oluwashina Okeleji indicate that Chelle is yet to sign the proposed contract and has attracted interest from the Algerian Football Federation as well as several North African clubs.

“Éric Chelle has not extended his contract with Nigeria and reports to the contrary follow cursory comments by the NSC chairman,” the BBC correspondent wrote on X.

“The NFF face competition from a host of African countries and North African clubs eager to sign the Franco-Malian coach.

“Not every conversation deserves a microphone. Some people rush to the media before the facts are settled, only to end up explaining themselves later. The best officials know the difference between progress and completion. The rest usually find themselves issuing clarifications,” Okeleji added.

During the NSC-NFF meeting, Dikko also disclosed that Chelle would take charge of Nigeria’s U-23 team ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games, while his assistants would also benefit from improved remuneration under the proposed arrangement.

However, efforts by PUNCH Sports Extra to establish when Chelle will sign the new contract were unsuccessful, as officials of both the NSC and the NFF did not respond to calls or messages.

Chelle is currently in the second year of the two-year contract he signed after his appointment, with the deal expected to expire around December 2026 or January 2027.

While Chelle is yet to extend his stay in Nigeria, Algeria and Ivory Coast have reportedly registered interest in the 48-year-old following their failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Although Chelle did not guide the Super Eagles to the World Cup, he has remained on the radar of several African football federations, including those of Angola, Mali and Tunisia, after leading Nigeria to a third-place finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

Amid what appears to be a delay in finalising a new agreement with the NFF, Chelle has continued to oversee the rebuilding of the Super Eagles and has repeatedly expressed his desire to remain in charge.

“I try to do my job and I want to say thank you for all the support. If I have some time, I will give everything for this national team. Every day I try to improve like a man and like a coach too,” Chelle said after Nigeria’s 3-0 victory over Jamaica in May.

The coach is reportedly seeking a monthly salary of $130,000, among other improved working conditions, while sources within the NFF told PUNCH Sports Extra that the federation is prepared to offer $100,000 per month.

It remains to be seen whether Chelle will be persuaded by more lucrative offers elsewhere in Africa or commit his future to the Super Eagles by signing the proposed new deal.