Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) technical director Augustine Eguavoen is in favour of a long-term association with Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle, following the Franco-Malian’s recent achievements with the national team, Footynaija.com reports.
Chelle is just over a year into his appointment as head coach of the Super Eagles by Nigerian football’s governing body, but there have already been glaring improvements in the performances of the national team.
Under Chelle’s reign, the Super Eagles have played 15 competitive matches and are yet to taste defeat in regulation time, recording ten wins and five draws.
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While he failed to deliver the primary mandate of qualifying Nigeria for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the former Mali boss oversaw an impressive campaign at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco which ended in a third place finish for the Super Eagles.
Assessing Chelle’s tenure so far, Eguavoen acknowledged that the national team boss has made a strong enough impression to earn a long-term contract that will enable him ample time to further imprint his ideas on the squad.
What Augustine Eguavoen said about Eric Chelle
“The coach came in, bought into our philosophy, and added his leadership, which we accepted,” Eguavoen told Footy-Africa.
“This has brought us to where we are today. We have accepted him, and he has accepted Nigeria as well. He now understands the working conditions and environment much better.
“I believe it has to be long term and will be positive because of what he has achieved in such a short period. Of course, there will always be critics, but he has done a great job. A longer stay will be good for everyone.
“If you assess the team from where he started to where we are now, there is clear progression, and we are happy with that. It’s a journey.
“Sometimes performances are not good, and people end up criticizing the entire NFF, but things are turning around for the better. I wouldn’t say we are in a rebuilding process because we already have an established team.”
After Nigeria’s impressive performances at the Africa Cup of Nations, Chelle has put himself on the radar of a number of rival football federations, including Tunisia, Angola and Gabon.
