remembers that in January 2025, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) named Chelle, at 47, the permanent head coach of the Nigerian men’s football team.
Considering the well-known coaches who were thought to be vying for the position, his selection was surprising.
For the first time, an African has been given the responsibility of managing the Super Eagles. According to Chelle, he didn’t aggressively look for the job.
“I applied like any other coach when the NFF called for applications after I left the Malian team, and then the interview came,” Chelle told CANAL+SPORT Afrique.
I gave a presentation of my concept, vision, and philosophy at a coaches’ conference to which I was invited. I left because I imagined it would happen much more quickly, but I had to wait because of certain circumstances. It’s true that I had this chance, which I risked losing, yet I still went for Rouen. I therefore came back for this fantastic project.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), meantime, has refuted claims that Christian Chukwu, the late coach and captain of the Super Eagles, held any property before he passed away.
Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, the general secretary of the NFF, stated that there is no such indebtedness based on the documents in their archives.
According to sources, he made the explanation in response to allegations that the NFF owed Chukwu up to $128,000 following his passing.
According to Sanusi, the NFF has no documentation of any unpaid amount owed to “Chairman” Christian Chukwu. A committee was established to carefully review the records of coaches who were owed money, even from earlier NFF administrations, during the first term of the Board, which was led by Mr. Amaju Pinnick.
That committee was explicitly tasked with confirming all debts and making sure the coaches that were owed were paid right away. As far as I know, “Chairman” worked for the NFF from 2002 to 2005. He was fired after the team’s 1-1 draw with Angola in a FIFA World Cup qualification match in Kano in August of that year. Without a doubt, the NFF has no documentation of debt to him.
Additionally, he issued a challenge to anyone who could provide proof of the NFF’s debt to Chukwu or any other coach. If the information was determined to be authentic, the loan would be paid off right away.
If a legitimate document of debt to any coach is presented to us, we will promptly settle the bill because we are a respectable firm that is fully aware of our obligations,” he stated.
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