Nigeria finished third at the 2025 AFCON in Morocco, losing the semi-final to hosts Morocco before beating Egypt on penalties to claim the bronze medal, Footynaija.com reports.
For some, that was a disappointment. For veteran sports journalist and former Super Eagles media officer Toyin Ibitoye, it was proof of something more.
Chelle took over in January 2025 as Nigeria’s third coach in the space of a World Cup qualifying campaign that ended in elimination. Jose Peseiro left under a cloud, Finidi George lasted four months before resigning after a public spat with Victor Osimhen, and Augustine Eguavoen had a brief caretaker stint in between.
By the time the Franco-Malian arrived, what followed in Morocco was, by most objective measures, an impressive response. The Super Eagles scored 14 goals across seven matches, more than Nigeria have ever scored at a single AFCON, went unbeaten in regulation time and reached the semi-finals before losing to the tournament’s best side.
Ibitoye’s verdict
Speaking to PUNCH Sports Extra, Ibitoye made the case for what that performance actually proved about the coach steering it.
“Nigeria did not win the tournament, but the football that Nigeria played won the hearts of many people,” he said.
“What you want to see is how well they played, their discipline on and off the pitch, because sometimes the element of luck decides who eventually wins a tournament. On the strength of what we saw in the last tournament, Coach Eric Chelle has done enough to merit discussions around renewing his contract.”
He also put the contract situation in a broader historical context, pointing to the revolving door of coaches that has defined Nigerian football for years.
“We had about three different coaches handling the Super Eagles during the World Cup qualifiers, and the results were not good. If we had been consistent and maintained the kind of results we have seen since Eric Chelle came on board, I am sure the World Cup ticket would have been secured a long time ago.”
Looking further ahead, Ibitoye sees no reason why Chelle cannot go all the way if given the stability and support he needs.
“I believe that if Eric Chelle continues the kind of work we saw in the last AFCON, there is a strong possibility, with luck on our side, good preparation, and everything working together in our favour, that Nigeria can win one or even two of the upcoming tournaments,” he said.
The NFF are yet to resolve Chelle’s contract situation. The coach submitted a 19-point renewal proposal in January, asking for his monthly salary to be raised from $50,000 to $130,000. The federation has counter-offered with $100,000. No agreement has been reached, and Chelle has one year remaining on his current deal.
