Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle is expected to receive his outstanding wages soon as Nigeria intensifies preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Chelle is reportedly owed three months’ salary and bonuses by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) ahead of the tournament, which will run from December 21, 2025 to January 18, 2026.
With CAF approving 28-man squad lists for AFCON 2025, Chelle is expected to release his provisional squad between today and Thursday. The final submission deadline is Thursday, December 11, while clubs must release players by Monday, December 15.
Journalist Shina Okeleji wrote on X on Tuesday:
“Nigeria coach Eric Chelle is owed three months’ salary and bonuses ahead of the AFCON.
The Malian, who guided the Eagles to the 2026 World Cup play-off, has not made any formal complaint to the NFF regarding the delay in his payments.”
Reacting to the claims, a senior NFF official confirmed to The PUNCH that Chelle’s unpaid wages will be settled soon.
“Eric came to meet with us, and we explained the process to him. His money will be paid. We’ve even paid him ahead before, and this time we’re only waiting for financial clearance. On paper, the payment has been made, and the coach is aware,” the source said.
He added, “When we paid him two months upfront, nobody made noise about it. We don’t need unnecessary drama now.”
Back in May, the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, revealed that Chelle’s salary had been covered upfront until October through a presidentially approved support group, aimed at stabilizing Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup qualifying efforts.
“We worked with the NFF to appoint the coach, and although the NFF signed his contract, we through the support group — agreed to fund his salary until October. This gives the NFF time to secure long-term sponsorship and financial support,” Dikko explained.
Chelle, who took over in January, oversaw a disappointing World Cup qualifying run that saw Nigeria reach the African playoff but eventually lose to DR Congo on penalties marking Nigeria’s second consecutive failure to qualify for the World Cup.
AFCON 2025 will be Chelle’s third major assignment with the Super Eagles. Nigeria has been drawn in Group C alongside Tunisia, Uganda and Tanzania. The team will open camp on Wednesday, December 10, in Egypt, where they will also play a friendly against the Pharaohs on December 16.
Nigeria kicks off its AFCON campaign on December 23 against Tanzania at the Complexe Sportif de Fès. Group rivals Tunisia and Uganda face off the same day in Rabat.
The highly anticipated Nigeria vs Tunisia match is scheduled for December 27, while the final Group C fixtures will be played simultaneously on December 31.
The Super Eagles — runners-up in the last AFCON after a 2–1 loss to hosts Ivory Coast — are chasing a fourth African title, having previously won in 1980, 1994 and 2013.
