The National Sports Commission (NSC) has confirmed that Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle will remain in charge of the senior national team and also oversee Nigeria’s U-23 side following the approval of new contract terms.
NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko announced the decision on Tuesday after a meeting between officials of the Commission and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in Abuja.
Chelle, whose current two-year contract runs until December 2026, has been engaged in discussions with football authorities over an improved agreement in recent months. The talks have now resulted in a revised package that includes enhanced remuneration and improved welfare for his backroom staff.
“We have reached new terms with the coach about his new remuneration. We are also going to take care of his assistants, and there are other benchmarks that we have put on the table, and I’m sure the coach will be very excited about it,” Dikko said.
The NSC chairman also disclosed that Chelle will assume responsibility for the Nigeria U-23 team as part of a long-term strategy aimed at preparing for the men’s football competition at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
According to Dikko, the arrangement is designed to create a seamless transition for talented young players moving from the U-23 squad into the Super Eagles setup.
“With the NFF, we also agreed that the coach will take care of the U-23 national team because we have young players coming into the Super Eagles within that age bracket,” he said.
“So, Eric Chelle and his team, plus other people who will support them, will handle the project. The objective is not to give the coach more work but to start building for the future.”
The expanded role places Chelle at the centre of Nigeria’s football development plans as authorities seek to revive the fortunes of both national teams.
Nigeria’s U-23 side has failed to qualify for the last two Olympic Games, missing out on Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024, while the Super Eagles have also endured a difficult period after failing to secure qualification for the last two FIFA World Cups.
The NSC and NFF believe that placing both teams under a unified technical leadership will strengthen player development and help restore Nigeria’s competitiveness on the international stage.
(SportsRation)
