By nmm reporter 9.12.2025
As Nigeria’s Super Eagles and their fans look forward to another run at the 2025 African Cup of Nations coach Eric Chelle is sulking about his unpaid wages and bonuses.
Chelle is yet to be paid three months’ salary and bonuses, and between the Nigeria Football Federation and the National Sports Commission, the coach is in limbo as to when the owed amount, up to about $200,000 including salary and bonus will be paid.
It was gathered that the NSC has been responsible for the payment of his salary since he was engaged in January 2025 to lead the charge of the Super Eagles’ qualification for the World Cup.
But it seems the NSC not happy with the Super Eagles’ failure to pick a ticket to the 2026 World Cup are cooling off their interest.
NFF officials kept a sealed lip when asked for comment on the development. With 11 days to go for the AFCON Chelle is now at a crossroad and unsure about his role with the Super Eagles after the AFCON.
Despite the unfolding the scenario, Chelle is expected to release his final of 28 players for the AFCON on December 10. Nigeria drawn in Group C alongside Tanzania, Tunisia, and Uganda, will kick off their campaign against Tanzania on December 23, before taking on Tunisa and Uganda.
And it remains to be seen if Chelle who took the Eagles of Mali to the semi-final of the 2023 AFCON can have the motivation to pump up his wards at the tournament in Morocco. Another failed outing will certainly doom his romance with Nigerian football.