Moses Simon delivers blunt Super Eagles verdict on Eric Chelle’s new deal

Paris FC winger Moses Simon has welcomed the Nigeria Football Federation's decision to hand Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle a new long-term contract, soccernet.ng/wp/wp/ reports.

First vice-captain Simon says the Super Eagles players are united behind the Malian coach and believe he can take the national team to greater heights.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), working together with the National Sports Commission (NSC), recently agreed a contract extension that will keep Chelle in charge of the Super Eagles until 2030 after an impressive start to his reign.

The extension follows a successful first spell in which Chelle guided Nigeria to a third-place finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco. As part of the new agreement, his monthly salary has doubled from $50,000 to $100,000, while the NFF will now pay his assistant coaches directly instead of Chelle covering those costs himself.

The deal also includes improved working conditions. Chelle will receive a private SUV with a chauffeur and security, a secured residence with uninterrupted electricity, a fully furnished analysis office, and flight tickets for members of his family.

His responsibilities have also increased. Alongside remaining head coach of the Super Eagles, Chelle will now oversee the Nigeria U-23 men's team with the aim of qualifying for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. He will also continue supervising the home-based Super Eagles B team ahead of the African Nations Championship (CHAN).

The new contract finally ends months of negotiations that began in January. During that period, Chelle attracted interest from Algeria, Tunisia, Angola and Guinea, while French clubs Marseille and Nantes were also linked with him before Nigeria secured his future.

Super Eagles: Simon backs Chelle as major tests await

Simon praised both the NFF and the NSC for showing faith in Chelle, insisting the players have developed a strong relationship with the coach.

“Chelle is a good person,” Simon said via the NewTelegraph.

“For many years we haven’t had a coach like this and we haven’t had a good run like this. In the last game he did very well, he brought all the teams together. He’s like a father and big brother to everybody.

“He loves his players and want us to go all the way in our games. That’s why the players are ready to do everything for the coach and for themselves. We are all happy he is staying and we look forward to working with him in the next assignment but in the end the national team will be better under him.

“The Eagles are not happy missing out in the ongoing World Cup but we will do better in subsequent games under Chelle.”

Although the players have shown confidence in their coach, Chelle's new contract also brings greater expectations.

One of his biggest challenges will be combining his duties with both the Super Eagles and the Olympic Eagles, a move that has already raised concerns among former internationals who believe managing both teams could become overwhelming.

He must also guide Nigeria through a difficult 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign. The Super Eagles have been drawn alongside Madagascar, Guinea-Bissau and co-host Tanzania. Since Tanzania qualify automatically as tournament hosts, only the group winners will book a place at AFCON, making every qualifier crucial.

Chelle also has important football decisions to make before September's qualifiers. He is expected to strengthen the team's creativity in midfield beyond Alex Iwobi, find stronger competition at left-back for Bruno Onyemaechi, address uncertainty in the goalkeeping department, and recruit another striker capable of providing quality support for Victor Osimhen.

With his salary now doubled and his responsibilities expanded, the pressure will be on Chelle to justify the NFF's investment by delivering consistent results and leading the Super Eagles back among Africa's top teams.