Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle is attracting growing interest from several African national teams following his impressive outing with Nigeria at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

Appointed in January 2025, the Malian tactician guided the Super Eagles to a third-place finish, defeating Egypt in the playoff to secure Nigeria’s ninth AFCON bronze medal.

Nigeria stood out under Chelle for their attacking intent and tactical balance, scoring 14 goals in seven matches while remaining defensively solid. The Super Eagles kept clean sheets in all knockout-stage fixtures, with their only disappointments coming via penalty shootouts against hosts Morocco in the semifinals and DR Congo in the World Cup playoffs.

Continental Interest Gathers Pace
Chelle’s performances on the AFCON stage have not gone unnoticed. During the tournament, he reportedly declined an approach from Tunisia after their round-of-16 exit. In the aftermath of the competition, Angola and Gabon have now emerged as the leading contenders to lure him away.

Gabon recently dismissed head coach Thierry Mouyouma following an early AFCON elimination, while Angola are actively exploring options and have identified Chelle as a prime target.

According to reports from SportyTV, Chelle is expected to hold talks with the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) in the coming days to discuss his future, even as interest from rival national teams continues to intensify.

Impressive Record and Contract Situation
Since taking charge, Chelle is yet to lose a competitive match in regulation time. His tenure also includes lifting the Unity Cup in London in May 2025, further boosting his reputation.

However, financial issues may influence his next move. Prior to AFCON, the NFF reportedly owed him three months’ salary and unpaid bonuses, a situation that could make offers with improved financial stability more attractive.

Despite this, many Nigerian fans are calling for continuity, urging the NFF to extend Chelle’s contract through the 2027 AFCON qualifiers, pointing to the clear progress made by the team.

NFF president Ibrahim Gusau has downplayed speculation of an imminent contract extension, stressing that Chelle is only midway through his current deal, which runs until January 2027.

With interest mounting across the continent, a decision on Chelle’s future is expected soon as both the coach and the NFF assess their options.