Eric Chelle: MC Oran to Decide Future of New Super Eagles Coach

By Boris Esono

Algerian Club MC Oran is set to have a crunch meeting with Eric Chelle, after the coach was appointed to lead the Super Eagles of Nigeria by the Nigerian Football Federation, NFF on Tuesday, despite being under contract with the club.

The move has shocked the Algerian club, which is seeking stability, and the announcement has undermined its ongoing project, Blue Print reported. Eric Chelle attended training with MC Oran on Wednesday morning, and the club is said to have called for an emergency meeting with him to discuss the situation.
Chelle is expected to be in the dugout when his club MC Oran take on Union Sportive de Sétif in the Algerian Cup on Saturday, January 11.
“Eric Chelle will continue to perform his duties as head coach during this match,” the club statement said. “Coach Chelle will supervise the team at the cup meeting as normal, the club management confirms. A final meeting has to be held after he returns to Oran for a decision on this matter.”
The former Mali international’s contract with MC Oran includes a clause that allows him to leave if offered a position with a national team. The clause was triggered when the Nigerian Football Federation made an offer, leading to his decision to accept the role.
A Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) statement said: “The Executive Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation has approved the recommendation of its Technical and Development Sub-Committee for the appointment of Mr. Eric Sékou Chelle as head coach of the Nigeria senior men’s national football team, the Super Eagles,” a statement released by the NFF.
“His appointment takes effect immediately, and he will be responsible for guiding the Super Eagles toward qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.”
Before being appointed coach of MC Oran, Eric Chelle took the Eagles of Mali to the quarterfinal of the 2023 AFCON, losing to Ivory Coast—the host subsequently won the tournament. Despite that fine run, Chelle eventually lost his job last June after over two years in charge.

The upcoming meeting will not only determine Chelle’s future but could also shape MC Oran’s trajectory for the rest of the season. If the club decides to part ways with Chelle, it will face the challenge of finding a replacement capable of quickly turning things around.