The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) faces mounting pressure over the future of Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle, as former Gombe State Football Association chairman Ahmed Shuaibu Gara-Gombe publicly condemned the prospect of a contract extension. Gara-Gombe’s criticism centers on Chelle’s reported demand for a significant salary increase from his current $50,000 monthly to $130,000, alongside 18 other conditions, to renew his deal with less than a year remaining.
Chelle, appointed in 2023, is seeking the substantial raise as part of a new contract negotiation. This stance has drawn sharp rebuke from Gara-Gombe, who accused the Malian coach of attempting to leverage the team’s platform for personal gain after gaining international recognition. Speaking to The Guardian, Gara-Gombe stated, “Chelle came to Nigeria to enhance his CV. Super Eagles are too big for him. He wants to ‘blackmail’ us after the Super Eagles put him on a global stage.” He further argued that with Nigeria’s player talent, the federation should be in a position to charge a coach like Chelle a “privileged fee,” not the reverse.
Gara-Gombe also dismissed rumors linking Chelle with a move to Olympique Marseille as a fabricated narrative designed to bolster his negotiating position. He deemed the coach’s salary demands unrealistic and questioned Chelle’s tangible impact on the team. “I haven’t seen any [tangible] impact from him on the Super Eagles. If we retain Chelle at this amount, Nigeria will regret it,” he said, adding that if the coach wishes to leave, he should be allowed to do so.
The NFF has not officially commented on the reported demands or its renewal intentions. The potential decision carries significant financial and strategic implications for the federation, already navigating budgetary constraints. The outcome of these negotiations will directly influence the Super Eagles’ stability and preparations for upcoming competitive fixtures, including Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. The public disagreement underscores the contentious nature of the coaching contract discussions within Nigerian football administration.
