AFCON 2025: NFF President Confirms Decision on Eric Chelle’s Future After Bronze Medal
- The President of the Nigeria Football Federation has confirmed the decision on Eric Chelle’s future as Super Eagles coach
- Chelle led Nigeria to a bronze medal at the just-concluded 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, defeating Egypt
- Nigerians, though disappointed not to win the trophy, applauded the Super Eagles’ performance at the tournament
- Sports journalist Martin Moses urged the NFF to keep the manager and build on the progress at AFCON 2025 in Morocco
The President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Gusau, has confirmed the NFF’s decision on Eric Chelle’s future after the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.
The NFF had set a target of reaching the final and winning the trophy for Chelle, but he fell short of this, with the team losing to Morocco in the semi-final and winning the bronze medal after defeating Egypt in the playoff.
Source: Getty Images
As noted by CAF (the Confederation of African Football), the Super Eagles defeated the Pharaohs to win a record-extending ninth bronze medal and keep a streak of never losing a third-place play-off.
Nigerians have mostly applauded Chelle for his team’s performance, and despite failing to achieve the objectives and not qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, they want him to continue in charge.
NFF confirms Eric Chelle’s future with Nigeria
NFF President Ibrahim Gusau has confirmed the decision on Eric Chelle's future with a statement published on the federation’s official website after the bronze medal match.
He confirmed that the team’s target was to win the trophy, but would accept a bronze medal because of the diligent display by the Super Eagles at the tournament.
“Actually, when we landed in Morocco towards the end of last year, our objective was to win the AFCON trophy and be the champions of Africa,” he said.
“Today, we finished in third place and won the bronze medals instead. We missed our target, but my joy is in the way our team played. They have played with zest and patriotic fervour, and showed resilience and character.”
He confirmed that the captain is one to be proud of and has prompted the NFF to continue to encourage the team, and as such, will continue to work with Chelle.
“The NFF is proud of the team’s campaign and will continue to do its best to encourage, support and motivate the team as we go forward,” he added.
“As the head of a hard-working technical crew, Mr Chelle has done exceedingly well within the one year he has been with us. He has shown enormous capacity, and we will continue to work with him.”
Source: Getty Images
Chelle, during his post-match conference after the win over Egypt, admitted that it would have been difficult to continue if Nigeria had lost the bronze medal match.
However, his comments suggest that he is keen to continue working with the team if the NFF agrees to let him stay on as the head coach of the Super Eagles.
“We will build on this experience, and it will be the foundation for the next phase of work,” he said.
Kenyan sports journalist Martin Moses claimed that the NFF did not have much choice but to keep Chelle because the process of hiring a replacement, severance package and the team’s progress are too costly to undertake.
“Even non-Nigerians were entertained with the way the Super Eagles played at AFCON. They played the best football, and only a few final details denied them the chance to win the trophy in the final,” he told Legit.ng.
“Chelle has one year left on his contract, and with no major happening within that time other than the AFCON 2027 qualifier. It is in the best interest of NFF to keep him even if they won't extend his contract.
“Hiring a replacement before the next international break in March, the cost of letting Chelle go and the team starting again are not worth it.”
Chelle receives offer from Tunisia
Legit.ng reported that Eric Chelle reportedly received a lucrative offer to coach Tunisia at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada.
The Tunisian federation dismissed head coach Sami Trabelsi after its AFCON 2025 Round of 16 elimination, just six months before the global tournament.
Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
