With just eleven days to the kickoff of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle is caught in a tense standoff with the Nigeria Football Federation over unpaid salaries — all while he is yet to announce his final squad for the tournament.
AFCON 2025, scheduled for December 21 to January 18, 2026, will feature Nigeria and 23 other nations, each permitted to select up to 28 players. The Confederation of African Football has set December 11 as the deadline for submitting final squad lists, with clubs required to release players by December 15.
The NFF released Chelle’s 54-man provisional squad last Tuesday, but growing concerns have overshadowed squad preparations. Reports on Tuesday revealed that the Franco-Malian coach is owed three months’ salary.
“Nigeria coach Eric Chelle is owed three months’ salary and bonuses ahead of the AFCON,” journalist Shina Okeleji posted on X.
Despite the claims, Okeleji noted that Chelle has not filed an official complaint to the NFF regarding the issue. A senior NFF official, speaking to The PUNCH, acknowledged the delay but insisted payment is on the way.
“Eric came to see us, and we explained the processes. His money will be paid. We have even paid him in advance before, and this time we are only waiting for cash backing from finance. The money on paper has been approved, and the coach is aware,” the source explained.
“When they paid him two months ahead, nobody talked about it, and we don’t need this kind of distraction now.”
In May, Chairman of the National Sports Commission Shehu Dikko disclosed that a presidentially approved support group had provided upfront salary payments for Chelle until October, aimed at stabilising Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup qualifying journey.
Chelle, appointed in January, eventually led the Super Eagles through a turbulent World Cup qualifying campaign. After scraping into the African play-offs, Nigeria lost to DR Congo on penalties, suffering a second consecutive World Cup miss.
AFCON 2025 marks Chelle’s third major assignment as Nigeria’s head coach. The Super Eagles have been drawn in Group C alongside Tunisia, Uganda and Tanzania.
The team’s camp opens December 10 in Egypt, with an unofficial pre-tournament friendly against the Pharaohs set for December 16.
Nigeria’s AFCON campaign kicks off on December 23 against Tanzania at the Complexe Sportif de Fès. Tunisia and Uganda will meet the same day in Rabat. The group’s headline clash — Nigeria vs Tunisia — comes on December 27 in Fès, while Uganda face Tanzania in Rabat.
Group C will conclude on December 31, with Nigeria taking on Uganda in Fès and Tunisia meeting Tanzania in Rabat.
Nigeria, runners-up at the last AFCON after a 2–1 loss to hosts Ivory Coast, are chasing a fourth continental crown, having previously lifted the trophy in 1980, 1994 and 2013.
