The Director General of Nigeria’s National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, has shut down growing rumours linking Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle with an exit from Nigeria, despite reported interest from Tunisia, Gabon and Angola.
Speculation around Chelle’s future intensified after Nigeria’s bronze medal finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. With less than a year left on his contract with the Nigeria Football Federation, questions began to swirl about whether the Malian coach could be tempted away.
Olopade, however, was clear and confident that Chelle is staying put.
“Eric Chelle is not going anywhere. The countries claiming interest in him don’t have the kind of superstars that make his job easier,” he said.
He pointed out that Chelle’s success with the Super Eagles is closely tied to the quality of players at his disposal, describing them as the right tools needed to bring his football ideas to life.
“We must not forget that Eric thrived because he had the right equipment and instruments — the quality personnel he used to execute his ideas,” Olopade added.
The NSC boss also revealed that he enjoys a close working relationship with the coach and that discussions about Chelle’s future are already happening at the highest level.
“I had dinner with him two days ago at my house in Abuja. I’m not the NFF president, but we operate with a collaborative approach, and Eric Chelle has become both a brother and a friend,” he said.
Olopade further disclosed that he has since spoken with the NFF president, hinting that a decisive meeting could take place within days.
“That same night, I called the NFF president, and hopefully by Tuesday or Wednesday, we’ll all sit down together,” he told Footy-Africa.
