Eric Sékou Chelle has been named the new head coach of Nigeria’s home-based national team, just one month before the start of the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN).
The Franco-Malian tactician steps in to replace Daniel Ogunmodede, who led the Super Eagles B to qualification for the tournament.
The Nigerian Football Federation confirmed Chelle’s appointment as preparations intensify for the tournament, which will take place from August 2 to 30 across three East African nations—Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda.
Already serving as the head coach of Nigeria’s senior national team since January, Chelle now takes on the added responsibility of managing the CHAN squad, composed exclusively of players active in Nigeria’s domestic league.
It marks his first official assignment in charge of the B team, with expectations running high just weeks before kick-off.
The former Mali international, who also played club football in Algeria with MC Oran, has been tasked with fine-tuning the squad and instilling a competitive edge as Nigeria prepares for a tough Group D campaign. The Super Eagles B are drawn alongside defending champions Senegal, as well as Sudan and Congo.
The team commenced a residential training camp this week at the Remo Stars Sports Institute in Ogun State, with an extended preliminary squad of 35 players already in camp. Chelle is expected to trim the group and announce his final tournament list in the coming days.
The CHAN competition, which is reserved for players plying their trade in their respective domestic leagues, provides a platform for talent often overlooked on the international stage.
For Nigeria, the stakes are particularly high. Despite a strong pedigree in African football, the country has never lifted the CHAN title. Their best performance came in 2018, when they finished as runners-up after losing to Morocco in the final.
Chelle’s appointment is seen as a strategic move to harmonise the philosophy and approach between the senior and home-based squads.
Known for his disciplined tactical structure and calm demeanour, the 46-year-old coach now has the challenge of uniting a relatively inexperienced group under a coherent system in a very short timeframe.
Nigeria’s group-stage campaign will begin on the island of Zanzibar, with matches scheduled at the Amman Stadium. The final group-stage fixture will be played at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
With reigning champions Senegal among their opponents, Nigeria face an immediate test of character and cohesion.
The late managerial switch may raise questions, but the federation appears confident in Chelle’s ability to lead the squad with distinction.
The coach now has the task of not only maintaining the momentum built under Ogunmodede but also improving the team’s tactical fluidity ahead of the tournament.
As the countdown to CHAN 2025 continues, Nigeria’s sights remain firmly set on clinching the elusive title. And with Eric Chelle now at the helm, all eyes will be on how the Super Eagles B respond to the challenge on East African soil.
