Nigeria’s head coach, Eric Chelle, is fast becoming one of the most sought-after managers on the continent after steering the Super Eagles to a commanding semi-final run at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.
Chelle’s reputation has soared following a flawless campaign so far, with Nigeria winning all five of their matches, scoring 14 goals and conceding just four. The highlight came in the quarter-finals, where the Super Eagles outclassed Algeria 2-0, limiting the North Africans to no shots on target.
The Frenchman’s success has not gone unnoticed. Reports from across the continent indicate that Tunisia, Mali and Guinea are all monitoring his situation closely, with Tunisia believed to be preparing a major financial offer once the tournament ends.
Sources suggest the Tunisian football authorities are ready to table a deal worth around 100,000 dollars per month, with formal talks expected after AFCON, particularly given uncertainty over Chelle’s long-term contract with Nigeria.
Interest from Guinea is not new. In August, journalist Romain Molina reported via Joueurs Guinéens that the Guinean Football Federation had turned to Chelle after talks with Paulo Duarte stalled over salary demands.
“While Paulo Duarte, the top favourite for the position of coach of the Syli national, has yet to sign anything due to his salary demands, President Sory Doumbouya took the opportunity to try to negotiate with Eric Chelle, who is already in position in Nigeria,” Joueurs Guinéens reported.
Further confirmation of growing interest came this week from ScoreNigeria, which revealed that other nations are also lining up.
“I can confirm to you that there are offers for Eric. At least two 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Angola and Guinea, have indicated interest in working with him, but what is important here is that he is focused on achieving his target with Nigeria in Morocco,” Samm Audu reported.
Chelle’s former employers, Mali, are also said to be reconsidering their decision to let him go after he guided them to the quarter-finals of the 2023 AFCON.
Senegalese commentator Saiid At Tijani argued that Mali “played much better under Éric Chelle”, insisting that issues within the squad, rather than the coach, were to blame and adding that time has since vindicated former captain Hamari Traoré.
Malian outlet Les Aigles Du Mali shared similar views, pointing out that Chelle’s exit coincided with a drop in average points per competition, despite fewer goals conceded under his successor.
“We’ve told you already. We had to wait for the AFCON! The sole positive point of Saintfiet on Chelle is fewer goals conceded. In average points, he’s gone from 1st to 5th by running a competition with Mali,” the outlet stated.
Among Nigerian fans, the turnaround has been particularly striking. Just two months earlier, Chelle faced heavy scrutiny after Nigeria lost the World Cup play-off final to DR Congo on penalties in Rabat, a defeat that appeared to mark the lowest moment of his reign.
The response in Morocco has been emphatic. Nigeria recorded group-stage wins over Tunisia and Uganda, swept aside Mozambique 4-0 in the round of 16, and then delivered a disciplined display against Algeria in the quarter-finals.
Chelle’s side averages 2.8 goals per game, enjoys 62 per cent possession and completes 88.6 per cent of their passes. Defensively, the Super Eagles have kept two clean sheets, average 14.6 tackles and 16.2 clearances per match, and have conceded just one penalty throughout the tournament.
Some observers have drawn comparisons with the late Stephen Keshi, who was dismissed by Mali after reaching the quarter-finals of the 2010 AFCON before going on to lead Nigeria to continental glory three years later.