Chelle: What to know about new Super Eagles coach
by Ganiyu Mubarak · The Eagle OnlineThe Nigeria Football Federation on Tuesday appointed former Malian coach, Éric Sékou Chelle, as Head Coach of the Super Eagles and here are facts to know about him.
Chelle, who hails from Mali, makes history as the first non-Nigerian African to coach the high flying Super Eagles of Nigeria.
The 47-year-old French-Malian coach was born on November 11, 1977 in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, but raised in France by his French father and Malian mother.
During his playing days, he was a central defender who plied his trade in France for clubs such as Martigues (1998-2003), Valenciennes (2003-2008), Lens (2008-2011), Istres (2011-2013), and Chamois Niortais (2013-2014).
The hard-tackling defender earned five caps for the Les Aigles (The Eagles) of Mali during his short spell with the national team between 2004 and 2006.
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After his playing career, Chelle took up coaching, managing lower division clubs in France such as GS Consolat (France amateur league), FC Martigues (Ligue 2), Boulogne (Championnat National), and MC Oran (Algerian Ligue).
He was appointed head coach of the Mali national team in May 2022.
He guided them to the quarter-finals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations hosted by Côte d’Ivoire from January 13 to February 11, 2024.
His journey with the Malian national team ended when he was dismissed by Mali’s football body in June 2024, days after his team were held to a goalless draw by 10-man Madagascar in a Group I World Cup qualifier in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The gaffer will now take over from Augustin Eguavoen, who has been interim coach of the Super Eagles since Finidi Geroge resigned in June 2024.
Chelle takes over a Nigerian team in a precarious position in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
The three-time African champions are currently fifth in Group C of the qualifiers, with just three points after four games.
His first games in charge of the Super Eagles will be in March against Rwanda and Zimbabwe in the next round of World Cup qualifiers.
Chelle will also be in charge of the Super Eagles B team at the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) slated for Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda from February 1 to 28, 2025.
His managerial career reflects a record of 67 wins, 40 draws, and 41 losses, earning him a win percentage of 45.27 percent.
NAN.
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