Yahoo Sports Nigeria appoint former Mali boss Chelle as new coach
Nigeria have appointed former Mali boss Eric Chelle as the new head coach of its men's national side.
Augustine Eguavoen had been in interim charge of the Super Eagles during their successful qualifying campaign for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).
Former Mali international Chelle spent just over two years in charge of the Eagles but the 47-year-old was sacked last June.
The West Africans reached the quarter-finals of the 2023 Afcon last year, where they were knocked out by eventual winners Ivory Coast after extra time.
Nigeria finished as runners-up under Jose Peseiro, who departed as coach when his contract ended soon after the tournament.
A Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) statement said that Chelle has been tasked with "the responsibility of guiding the Super Eagles to earn a ticket to the 2026 Fifa World Cup finals".
The three-time continental champions have made a winless start in World Cup qualifying, drawing three of their first four games in Group C.
The Super Eagles are four points behind group leaders Rwanda, and will travel to Kigali to face the Wasps before hosting bottom side Zimbabwe in the next round of matches in March.
Only the group winners are assured of a place at the finals in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
The NFF has not disclosed the length of Chelle's contract.
'Fans expected high-profile coach'
Analysis by BBC Sport Africa's Isaiah Akinremi in Lagos
Eric Chelle is the first non-Nigerian African to assume the role of Super Eagles coach, and his appointment has stirred mixed reactions among supporters.
Expectations were for a high-profile foreign coach to take charge of a team that boasts top talents such as reigning African Player of the Year Ademola Lookman and 2023 winner Victor Osimhen.
This decision follows unsuccessful negotiations last year with two-time Afcon-winning coach Herve Renard and former Sweden boss Janne Andersson - as well a deal with Bruno Labbadia collapsing.
Some fans argue that the reins could have remained with a Nigerian coach, especially considering Augustine Eguavoen's success in securing qualification for the 2025 Afcon in Morocco.
However, the underwhelming results before that under Finidi George may have influenced the NFF's decision to seek an alternative.
Chelle gained attention after leading Mali to their first win against the Super Eagles in 50 years in a friendly last March.
With Nigeria's 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign off to a poor start, Chelle will immediately need to win over a passionate fanbase when preliminaries resume in March.
