Ofure Akhigbe
A top official of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed that Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, will soon be paid his outstanding salaries as Nigeria prepares for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, scheduled for December 21, 2025 to January 18, 2026.
Chelle is reportedly owed three months’ salary and bonuses by the NFF ahead of the tournament. Nigeria, along with the other 23 qualified teams, is permitted to submit a squad of up to 28 players for the finals. Chelle’s final list is expected between Tuesday and Thursday, with the official submission deadline fixed for Thursday, December 11. Clubs are mandated to release players by Monday, December 15.
Journalist Shina Okeleji had earlier reported on X on Tuesday that the Malian coach was yet to receive his outstanding entitlements, adding that Chelle had not lodged any formal complaint with the NFF.
Responding to the report, a senior NFF official told The PUNCH that payment would be completed soon.
“Eric came to see us and we explained the processes. His money will be paid. We have even paid him in advance before. This time, we are only waiting for cash backing from finance. On paper, the money has been approved and the coach is aware,” the official said.
The source added that previous advance payments were not publicised and that the federation did not see the need to do so now.
In May, Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko, revealed that the commission made arrangements for the upfront payment of Chelle’s salary up to October through a presidentially endorsed support group, to stabilise Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup qualification campaign.
“We worked with the NFF to appoint the coach, and although the NFF signed his contract, we decided to cover his salary until October through a support group. This will give the NFF space to secure long-term funding and sponsorship,” Dikko had said during an interview on Eagle 7 Sports Radio 103.7 FM.
Chelle, who was appointed by the NFF in January, led Nigeria through the ill-fated 2026 World Cup qualifiers. After advancing to the African play-off, the Super Eagles lost on penalties to DR Congo, confirming Nigeria’s second consecutive World Cup failure.
The 2025 AFCON will be Chelle’s third major tournament in charge of Nigeria. The Super Eagles are drawn in Group C alongside Tunisia, Uganda and Tanzania.
Nigeria’s training camp will open on Wednesday, December 10, in Egypt, with an unofficial friendly against the Egyptian Pharaohs scheduled for December 16.
The Super Eagles will begin their campaign on December 23, 2025, against Tanzania at the Complexe Sportif de Fès, Fès. Tunisia and Uganda will clash the same day in Rabat.
Nigeria will face Tunisia in the group’s headline fixture on December 27 in Fès, while Uganda meet Tanzania in Rabat. The final Group C matches will be played simultaneously on December 31, with Nigeria facing Uganda in Fès and Tunisia taking on Tanzania in Rabat.
Nigeria, runners-up at the 2023 AFCON after losing 2–1 to hosts Ivory Coast, are chasing a fourth continental title, having previously won in 1980, 1994 and 2013.