'You can't refuse best African team' - Eric Chelle confirms he accepted Super Eagles job, reveals arrival date

Malian football tactician Eric Chelle has made it clear that there is no going back in his decision to coach African powerhouse, the Super Eagles and confirmed his arrival date in the country. 

Last Tuesday, the Nigeria Football Federation made the bold decision to appoint Chelle as coach of the senior national team, succeeding interim boss Augustine Eguavoen who led the team to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with two games to spare.

Chelle officially announced his resignation from coaching Mouloudia Oran on Saturday, after the team qualified for the round of sixteen of the Coupe Nationale, following the victory over Union sportive de Sétif.

Although the former Lens central defender was under contract with the Algerian club, it has been claimed that he could unilaterally terminate the deal if he received an offer from a foreign team.

Chelle explained why he couldn't pass up the chance to coach the Super Eagles, calling them 'the best team in Africa.'

Speaking to reporters in Algeria after the win against Union sportive de Sétif, Chelle stated: "It was my last match with MCO. On Monday, I will be in Nigeria. 

"The club officials insisted that I stay, but you can't refuse an opportunity like that of managing the best team in Africa and one of the best in the world.

"It's true that I am very selfish. But once again, I thank the Algerians, as well as the Oran public for the welcome. 

"I also thank my management who always put me in the best conditions, as well as my staff and all my players.”

During Chelle's time in charge of MC Oran, the team recorded six wins, two draws, and five losses. 

With the Super Eagles in a precarious position in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Chelle's immediate priority will be to prepare the team for two crucial games in March 2025—away to Rwanda and at home against Zimbabwe.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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