The Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, has confirmed that Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle will continue in his role as Nigeria’s senior national team manager after both sides agreed on new contract terms. He will also take charge of the country’s U-23 team under the new arrangement.
Dikko made the announcement on Tuesday in Abuja after a meeting between officials of the National Sports Commission and the Nigeria Football Federation, where discussions focused on strengthening Nigeria’s national football structure and planning for upcoming competitions.
He explained that negotiations with Chelle had been ongoing for several months following Nigeria’s third-place finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. The coach’s previous contract was set to expire at the end of 2026, but talks have now resulted in an improved deal.
According to him, the agreement includes better pay and improved conditions for the coach’s assistants and technical staff. Dikko said the new package was designed to ensure stability and long-term planning for the national teams.
“We have reached new terms with the coach about his new remuneration. We are also going to take care of his assistants, and there are other benchmarks that we have put on the table,” Dikko said.
He added that Chelle’s responsibilities would now extend beyond the Super Eagles to include the U-23 national team as part of efforts to build a stronger link between youth development and the senior squad.
Officials said the decision is aimed at creating a smooth pathway for young players to progress into the Super Eagles in the coming years, especially as preparations begin for the men’s football event at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
“With the NFF, we also agreed that the coach will take care of the U-23 national team because we have young players coming into the Super Eagles within that age bracket,” Dikko explained.
He stressed that the expanded role is not meant to overburden the coach but to ensure continuity in team development and long-term success.
However, the assignment also places added pressure on Chelle, who is expected to improve the performance of Nigeria’s U-23 side. Both the Super Eagles and the Olympic team have struggled in recent years, with Nigeria missing out on the last two FIFA World Cups before qualifying for the 2026 edition, while the U-23 team failed to reach the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
