In a groundbreaking decision that has sent shockwaves through African football, Nigeria’s senior men’s national team, the Super Eagles, have appointed former Mali coach Eric Sékou Chelle as their new manager. The historic move marks the first time in the Super Eagles’ storied history that a non-Nigerian African will take the reins of the team.
Sékou Chelle: The Man Behind Mali’s Meteoric Rise
The 47-year-old Sékou Chelle burst onto the international coaching scene when he led Mali to their first victory over Nigeria in 50 years in a friendly match in March 2024. The 2-0 win over Finidi George’s Eagles put Sékou Chelle firmly on Nigeria’s radar.
Born in Ivory Coast to a French father and a Malian mother, Sékou Chelle holds three nationalities and brings a wealth of experience from his playing days in France, where he featured for clubs like Lens and Valenciennes. As a coach, he has managed teams in France, Algeria, and most recently, Mali.
From Viral Meme to Nigeria’s Main Man
Sékou Chelle’s passion and animated coaching style captured the attention of fans during the Africa Cup of Nations, where his reaction to Mali’s heartbreaking extra-time loss to hosts Ivory Coast in the quarterfinals became a viral meme.
Éric Sékou Chelle’s appointment is with immediate effect, and he has the responsibility of guiding the Super Eagles to earn a ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals.
– Ademola Olajire, Nigeria Football Federation Communications Director
The Road to the 2026 World Cup
Nigeria’s bold move to appoint Sékou Chelle comes as the Super Eagles look to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. With the next round of qualifying matches set for March, the pressure will be on the new coach to hit the ground running and navigate a tricky group that includes fierce rivals Ghana and upstarts Madagascar.
- Nigeria’s remaining World Cup qualifiers:
- Matchday 5: vs Ghana (Home)
- Matchday 6: vs Madagascar (Away)
The Super Eagles’ decision to look beyond their borders for a coach signals a new era in Nigerian football, one that embraces diversity and recognizes the wealth of coaching talent across the African continent. As Sékou Chelle prepares to lead Nigeria into the crucial final stages of World Cup qualifying, the eyes of the football world will be watching to see if this historic appointment can propel the Super Eagles back to the global stage.
