Chelle’s AFCON Masterclass: Super Eagles Coach Becomes Africa’s Most Wanted

The ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco has transformed Nigeria’s head coach, Eric Chelle, from a scrutinized tactician into the most coveted manager on the continent. As the Super Eagles prepare for a high-stakes semi-final against the host nation, Chelle’s stock has reached an all-time high, fueled by a flawless tournament run that has silenced critics and ignited a bidding war among Africa’s footballing powerhouses. With Nigeria boasting a perfect record of five wins from five matches, scoring 14 goals and conceding just four, the Frenchman’s “vision for the team” is now the blueprint many nations are desperate to acquire.

Chelle’s tactical dominance was most evident in the quarter-final victory over Algeria, where his side dispatched the North African giants 2-0 while preventing them from registering a single shot on target. This level of defensive discipline, combined with a rampant attack averaging 2.8 goals per game, has alerted the technical committees of several rival federations. Reports suggest that Tunisia is leading the chase, allegedly preparing a lucrative contract worth $100,000 per month to lure Chelle away once the tournament concludes. The North African side is not alone, as Guinea and Mali are also reportedly keeping a close watch on his contract status in Abuja.

The interest from Guinea is particularly persistent, with recent revelations indicating that the Guinean Football Federation sought to open negotiations as early as August after failing to reach a salary agreement with other candidates. Similarly, Chelle’s former employers in Mali are reportedly experiencing “buyer’s remorse” after parting ways with the coach who led them to the 2023 AFCON quarter-finals. Commentators across the region have noted that the Malian national team played significantly more expressive football under Chelle, with current Malian sports media lamenting his exit as their average points per game have dipped under his successor.

The current adulation is a stark contrast to the atmosphere in November 2025, when Chelle faced intense calls for his dismissal following Nigeria’s heartbreaking failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. A penalty shootout loss to DR Congo in Rabat was viewed as a terminal failure at the time, but the NFF’s decision to maintain stability has been vindicated by the team’s resurgence in Morocco. Chelle has successfully navigated the “230 million coaches” in Nigeria by creating a psychological bubble around his squad, focusing on a 4-4-2 diamond formation that has allowed stars like Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman to flourish.

Beyond the results, the statistics from Nigeria’s campaign are staggering: a 62 percent average possession rate and an 88.6 percent pass completion accuracy. Defensively, the team has been equally formidable, averaging nearly 15 tackles per match and maintaining a physical presence that has neutralized the continent’s most creative midfields. Fans have begun drawing parallels between Chelle’s journey and that of the legendary Stephen Keshi, who also faced early challenges before leading the Super Eagles to continental glory.

As the semi-final clash with Morocco looms, Chelle remains publicly focused on the task at hand, dismissing rumors of his departure as “external noise.” However, the reality of African football remains clear: success on this stage inevitably leads to bigger stages. Whether the NFF can secure Chelle’s long-term future with an improved contract or if he chooses to seek a new challenge with a rival nation remains the secondary drama of the tournament. For now, the “Malian-Frenchman” is simply the man with the midas touch in Morocco.