Nigeria head coach, Eric Chelle, has attracted strong interest from several African nations following the Super Eagles’ impressive run at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, with Tunisia, Mali and Guinea all linked with moves for the Frenchman, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Chelle’s stock has risen sharply after guiding Nigeria to the semi-finals with a flawless record so far, winning all five matches, scoring 14 goals and conceding just four, including a dominant 2–0 quarter-final victory over Algeria in which the North Africans failed to register a single shot on target.
Reports emerging from across the continent suggest that Tunisia are prepared to make a major financial commitment to lure Chelle away after the tournament.
According to multiple sources, the Tunisian football authorities have sounded out the coach and are willing to offer a salary of around $100,000 per month, with formal contact expected after the AFCON, amid uncertainty surrounding his long-term contract situation with Nigeria.
Interest from Guinea has also intensified. In August, journalist Romain Molina reported via Joueurs Guinéens that the Guinean Football Federation had turned their attention to Chelle after prolonged negotiations with their preferred candidate, Paulo Duarte, had stalled over salary demands.
“While Paulo Duarte, the top favourite for the position of coach of the Syli national, has yet to sign anything due to his salary demands, President Sory Doumbouya took the opportunity to try to negotiate with Eric Chelle, who is already in position in Nigeria,” Joueurs Guinéens reported in August.
SCORENigeria reported on Sunday that Chelle’s work with the Super Eagles continue to draw interest from other African countries, including Angola and Guinea.
“I can confirm to you that there are offers for Eric. At least two 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Angola and Guinea, have indicated interest in working with him, but what is important here is that he is focused on achieving his target with Nigeria in Morocco,” Samm Audu reported for SCORENigeria.
Mali, Chelle’s former employers, are also said to be regretting their decision to part ways with the coach after he led them to the quarter-finals of the 2023 AFCON.
Senegalese commentator Saiid At Tijani wrote that Mali “played much better under Éric Chelle” and argued that the real problems lay with certain players, adding that time has since vindicated former captain Hamari Traoré.
Malian outlet Les Aigles Du Mali echoed similar sentiments, noting that Chelle’s departure coincided with a decline in average points per competition despite fewer goals conceded under his successor.
“We’ve told you already. We had to wait for the AFCON! Sole positive point of Saintfiet on Chelle, fewer goals conceded. In average points, he’s gone from 1st to 5th by running a competition with Mali,” the outlet said.
Among Nigerian supporters, Chelle’s turnaround has sparked widespread praise, particularly given the disappointment of November 2025, when Nigeria lost the World Cup play-off final to DR Congo on penalties in Rabat.
That setback appeared to mark the lowest point of his tenure, but the response at AFCON has been emphatic, with victories over Tunisia and Uganda in the group stage, a 4–0 demolition of Mozambique in the round of 16, and the composed quarter-final win over Algeria.
Statistically, Chelle’s squad has been impressive at AFCON 2025, scoring 14 goals in five matches played and just four conceded.
The team averages 2.8 goals per game, maintains 62 per cent possession, and completes 88.6 per cent of passes accurately.
Defensively, Nigeria has kept two clean sheets, averaging 14.6 tackles and 16.2 clearances per game, while committing just one penalty.
Observers have drawn parallels with the late Stephen Keshi, who was dismissed by Mali after reaching the quarter-finals of the 2010 AFCON before leading Nigeria to continental glory three years later.
As the Super Eagles prepare for the latter stages of the tournament in Morocco, Chelle’s immediate focus remains on delivering success with Nigeria, even as interest from across Africa continues to grow.
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”. The pictures showed the 41-year-old with a new copper-yellow hair, a clear departure from the dark brown style he had worn for years, including during Portugal’s World Cup campaign.
