Eric Chelle Frustrated as Signing of $75,000 Monthly Nigeria Deal Delays

Posted : 13 October 2026

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle is reportedly frustrated by delays in formalising his proposed new contract with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the National Sports Commission (NSC). The agreement is expected to increase his monthly salary to $75,000 and expand his responsibilities to include Nigeria's Under-23 national team.

The proposed deal follows discussions between Chelle and Nigerian football authorities in June 2026. NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko announced at the time that an agreement had been reached on improved remuneration and arrangements for the coach's assistants. Chelle was also assigned responsibility for guiding Nigeria's U-23 team through qualification for the men's football tournament at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

Despite the reported agreement, the contract has yet to be formally signed. According to reports published on Tuesday, October 13, the delay has been linked to the mass resignation of the NFF executive committee in September, which left uncertainty over the process for completing the agreement.

Chelle reportedly wants the paperwork completed before Nigeria's upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header against Tanzania. The Super Eagles are scheduled to host the East African side in Uyo on November 11 before travelling for the return fixture four days later.

The matches carry added importance for Nigeria following a reported 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau. Chelle will be keen to restore confidence in the squad and improve the team's position in the qualifying campaign.

Chelle's proposed monthly salary represents an increase from the $50,000 reportedly attached to his previous contract. The new arrangement is also expected to cover the salaries of his technical assistants, removing the previous burden of paying members of his backroom staff from his own earnings.

The Franco-Malian coach has earned support from Nigerian football authorities following his work with the Super Eagles. He guided Nigeria to a third-place finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, helping the team secure a bronze medal.

His expanded role with the U-23 side is part of a broader plan to strengthen the connection between Nigeria's senior and youth national teams. The initiative is intended to improve the development of young players and prepare the Olympic Eagles for the qualification campaign ahead of the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.

However, the unsigned contract has created uncertainty as preparations continue for the Tanzania fixtures. Chelle reportedly wants the agreement finalised before those matches so that his future responsibilities and employment terms are formally established.

The NFF's leadership changes have added another layer of uncertainty to the process. Although the proposed financial terms and expanded duties have been reported, the final signing remains outstanding as of October 13, 2026.

The immediate focus will now be on completing the documentation and preparing the Super Eagles for their November assignments. Nigeria will need improved performances against Tanzania to strengthen its campaign for qualification for the 2027 AFCON, while the contract situation remains an important issue for the team's technical leadership.

Eric Chelle Frustrated as Signing of $75,000 Monthly Nigeria Deal Delays

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