By Korede James
Super Eagles new head coach Eric Chelle has claimed that despite pressure from Algerian club MC Oran for him to continue there, he could not resist the chance to lead ‘one of Africa’s best national teams’.
On Tuesday, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) confirmed the appointment of Chelle as the new head coach of the Super Eagles.
Chelle replaced NFF Technical Director Austin Eguavoen who had been in charge of the team on an interim basis.
The former Mali coach took charge in his final game for MC Oran on Saturday against USM Sétif, leading his team to a 1-0 win in the Algerian Cup.
In his statement to the press after the match, Chelle confirmed that the Cup game was his last with MC Oran.
“This last meeting marks the end of my adventure here. From Monday, I will be in Nigeria to start this new chapter,” he was qouted by Fennec Football.
“MCO management insisted that I continue, but you can’t refuse to lead one of the best teams in Africa and the world.
“I thank the Hamraoua fans, the people of Oran and all Algerians for their welcome and support. The MCO will always have a special place in my heart.”
Chelle’s first assignment as Nigeria’s head coach is to lead the Super Eagles B team to the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) in Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda.
The competition will run from February 1 to February.
Also, he is tasked with qualifying the Super Eagles to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in USA, Mexico and Canada.
The Super Eagles are currently in fifth place in Group C of the qualifiers, failing to win any of their four games played so far.
