Eric Ejiofor has added his voice to the growing call for the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to resolve Eric Chelle’s contract situation and keep the Super Eagles coach in place, Footynaija.com reports
Chelle has been at the centre of contract uncertainty for several weeks. The NFF and the former Mali international have been in negotiations over a new deal, with reports suggesting the two parties have struggled to agree terms despite Chelle’s growing popularity among Nigerian football supporters.
The timing of the standoff is particularly uncomfortable given the momentum the team has built. Nigeria won the Unity Cup in London and followed it with an encouraging 2-2 draw against World Cup-bound Poland in Warsaw, all without several of their most important players.
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For Ejiofor, a former Nigeria international who understands what the coaching role demands, the evidence is too strong to ignore.
“I really think the NFF must keep Eric Chelle as Super Eagles head coach. He has made significant changes to our football, as the team now plays an attractive style,” Ejiofor said via Brila FM.
The word “significant” captures exactly what many Nigerian football observers have been saying since Chelle took charge in January 2025. Under his management, Nigeria reached the third-place finish at the 2025 AFCON in Morocco, scoring 14 goals across five matches to post the highest scoring rate in the tournament, a standard of attacking play the country had not seen at a major tournament in years.
Nigeria face Portugal on June 10 in what will be a final audition before AFCON qualifying begins. How long Chelle leads them beyond that remains in the NFF’s hands.
