President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Gusau, has dismissed speculation over the future of Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle, insisting the Malian tactician remains fully committed to the national team despite reported interest in his services.
Chelle guided Nigeria to a bronze medal finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.
Although the Super Eagles fell short of the federation’s initial target of reaching the final, the NFF has expressed satisfaction with the team’s overall performance and is keen to maintain continuity within the technical setup.
Speaking on the growing rumours surrounding Chelle’s future, Gusau stressed that the coach is still under contract and focused on his responsibilities with Nigeria.
“We still have a one-year contract with Eric, so any interest from others will have to wait until his contract expires,” Gusau told the Super Eagles media team.
“We don’t want distractions because we know he enjoys working with Nigeria.”
The NFF president further explained that Chelle’s ambitions align with the federation’s long-term objectives, noting that the coach is motivated by the opportunity to achieve success with the Super Eagles rather than financial incentives.
“It’s not always about money or offers from elsewhere. What matters is whether a team provides the right environment and players to succeed.
Every coach dreams of winning major competitions, and Eric believes he can do that here,” Gusau said.
Gusau concluded by reaffirming the federation’s confidence in Chelle’s vision and leadership, describing him as a key figure in the Super Eagles’ future.
“He believes in the Super Eagles project and feels he can achieve his goals with this squad. We believe in him as well, and he remains an important part of our plans going forward.”
