‘Chelle to Receive Unpaid Salaries Ahead of AFCON’

 

A senior official of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed that Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle will soon receive his outstanding salaries as Nigeria intensifies preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

Reports indicated that Chelle is owed three months’ salary and bonuses ahead of the tournament, scheduled for December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.

Nigeria and the 23 other participating nations are permitted to name squads of up to 28 players for the finals. Chelle’s provisional list is expected between today and Thursday, with the deadline for squad submission set for Thursday, December 11. Clubs are required to release selected players no later than 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 led the Eagles to the 2026 World Cup play-off, has not lodged an official complaint with the NFF regarding the outstanding payments.”

Responding to the claims, an NFF top official told The PUNCH that the situation is being resolved.

“Eric met with us, and we clarified the procedures. His payment will be made. We have even paid him in advance at times, and right now, we’re awaiting cash backing from the finance department. On paper, the funds have been approved, and the coach is aware,” the source said.
“When he was paid two months upfront, nobody publicized that. We don’t need this kind of distraction now,” he added.

In May, Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, disclosed that the commission made provisions — through a presidentially approved support group — to pay Chelle’s salary upfront through October, aiming to stabilize Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup qualification campaign.

“We collaborated with the NFF to appoint the coach. Although the NFF signed his contract, we decided through the support group to cover his salary until October. This gives the NFF time to secure long-term funding and sponsorship,” Dikko explained during an interview with former Nigeria international Segun Odegbami on Eagle 7 Sports Radio 103.7 FM.

Chelle, appointed by the NFF in January, oversaw Nigeria’s ultimately unsuccessful 2026 World Cup qualification bid. After narrowly reaching the African play-off, the Super Eagles were eliminated by DR Congo on penalties, marking Nigeria’s second consecutive World Cup miss.

AFCON 2025 will be Chelle’s third major tournament with the team. Nigeria will compete in Group C alongside Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania.

The Super Eagles’ training camp opens Wednesday, December 10, in Egypt, with an unofficial friendly against the Pharaohs scheduled for December 16.

Nigeria begins its AFCON campaign on December 23 against Tanzania at the Complexe Sportif de Fès. On the same day, Tunisia will face Uganda at the Stade Annexe of Prince Moulay in Rabat.

The group’s most anticipated match — Nigeria versus Tunisia — is set for December 27 in Fès, while Uganda take on Tanzania in Rabat.

Group C concludes on December 31, with Uganda meeting Nigeria in Fès and Tunisia playing Tanzania in Rabat.

Nigeria, runners-up at the last AFCON after a 2–1 loss to hosts Ivory Coast, are aiming for a fourth continental crown, having previously lifted the trophy in 1980, 1994, and 2013.