The Nigeria Football Federation has officially appointed Éric Sékou Chelle as the head coach of the Super Eagles, Nigeria’s senior men’s national football team.
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Early Life and Playing Career
- Birth: Born on November 11, 1977, in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
- Nationality: Holds French nationality; eligible to represent Mali through his Malian mother.
- Position: Played as a centre-back.
- Club Career:
- Spent his entire professional career in France, featuring for clubs such as Martigues, Valenciennes, Lens, Istres, and Chamois Niortais.
- International Career:
- Represented the Mali national team, earning five caps between 2004 and 2006.
Transition to Coaching
- Early Coaching Roles:
- Began his coaching career as an assistant manager at GS Consolat before taking over as head coach.
- FC Martigues:
- Managed the French club, achieving a decent win rate over 80 games.
- US Boulogne:
- Appointed head coach but was dismissed after a series of unfavorable results.
Tenure with the Mali National Team
- Appointment:
- Took charge of the Mali national team in May 2022.
- Performance:
- Led the team to the quarter-finals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, where they were eliminated by the host nation.
- Record:
- Oversaw 22 matches, securing 14 wins, 5 draws, and 3 losses, resulting in a strong win rate.
- Departure:
- Dismissed in June 2024 following a goalless draw against Madagascar in a World Cup qualifier.
Appointment as Super Eagles Head Coach
- Announcement:
- Appointed in January 2025 as the head coach of the Super Eagles.
- Mandate:
- Tasked with revitalizing Nigeria’s campaign to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
- Immediate Challenges:
- Nigeria currently has three points from four matches in World Cup qualifying Group C, trailing Rwanda, South Africa, and Benin.
- Upcoming fixtures include matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe, which are crucial for improving their standings.
