NFF Unveils New Super Eagles Coach, Eric Chelle

Published

6 months ago

January 15, 2025

Eric

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has unveiled the newly appointed coach of the Super Eagles, Eric Chelle.

The event held at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja on Monday where sports enthusiasts and practitioners gathered to welcome the 47-year-old Franco-Malian citizen.

Chelle’s appointment was confirmed last Tuesday by the NFF Executive Committee, following a recommendation from its Technical and Development Committee.

The NFF President, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, expressed confidence in Chelle’s ability to lead the Super Eagles to new heights.

“We appreciate the fact that Nigerians are very passionate about football, which is why there have been different reactions following the appointment of Coach Chelle,” Gusau said on Sunday.

“However, the NFF appeals to Nigerians to come together and support him, as we believe he has the qualities to achieve success with the Super Eagles.”

Gusau further assured Nigerians that the Federation would provide the necessary backing to ensure Chelle’s success.

“The NFF will give him all the support that he needs to succeed in the job,” he added.

Chelle’s first challenge will be leading the Super Eagles B at the upcoming African Nations Championship in East Africa next month.

After that, the focus will shift to the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, with crucial matches against Rwanda (away) and Zimbabwe (home) in March.

According to the statement, Chelle brings a wealth of experience to the role, having guided Mali’s Aiglons to the brink of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals.

He recently left his position at Algerian club MC Oran, where he had been managing the 1989 African Champions’ Cup finalists, to accept the Super Eagles job.

Galatasaray Proposes €55m Bid to Keep Osimhen

Published

12 hours ago

July 8, 2025

Eric

Galatasaray have sent an initial bid of €50 million plus €5m in add-ons for Victor Osimhen amid Napoli’s demand for more money to sell the Super Eagles striker.

Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, in a statement on Monday, said Osimhen is keen on making a return to Galatasaray but the deal depends on club to club talks.

“Al Hilal remains involved in the race for Osimhen with a plan to pay his €75m release clause at Napoli but there is no agreement with the striker yet,” Romano added.

Reports also say that the Turkish Super Lig club is ready to offer the Nigerian international a three-year contract until the summer of 2028 with the option of another 12 months.

Osimhen joined Galatasaray on loan from Napoli last summer and the Super Eagles striker went ahead to have a remarkable campaign with the Turkish club.

The 26-year-old scored 37 goals and contributed eight assists in 41 games across all competitions for Galatasaray, helping the club to win the Turkish Super Lig title and the Turkish Cup.

Former Super Eagles Goalkeeper, Peter Rufai is Dead

Published

6 days ago

July 3, 2025

Eric

Former Super Eagles first-choice goalkeeper, Peter Rufai, is dead.

Rufai passed away on Thursday after battling with prolonged illness. He was 61 years.

Dodomayana, as he is fondly called, was widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers Nigeria has produced.

During his playing career that lasted two decades, Rufai played in Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain.

He also represented Nigeria at two World Cups and as many Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.

Rufai’s death comes on a day the world of football is mourning Liverpool forward, Diogo Jota.

Jota died in a car crash in Spain earlier in the day, alongside his brother

Liverpool Striker, Diogo Jota Killed in Auto Crash

Published

6 days ago

July 3, 2025

Eric

Liverpool forward, Diogo Jota, has reportedly died in a car crash in Spain. He was 28.

This is according to Portuguese media, Daily Mail UK, and other outlets.

Jota, 28, was said to be travelling with his younger brother, André, 26, when their car was involved in a fatal accident on the A-52 motorway, at kilometre 65, near the municipality of Palacios de Sanabria in the province of Zamora.

Emergency services confirmed the crash.

“The 1-1-2 Castilla y León operations room received several calls reporting a vehicle accident at Km. 65 of the A-52, in the municipality of Cernadilla, Zamora.

“A car was reported to have been involved in an accident and the vehicle was on fire,” a statement from authorities read.

The news of Jota’s sudden passing has sent shockwaves through the footballing world and beyond, as he was widely regarded for his tenacity, goal-scoring instinct, and versatility on the pitch for both Liverpool FC and the Portuguese national team.

His tragic passing comes only two weeks after he got married to his long-term girlfriend, Rute Cardoso, in Porto.

Further details surrounding the crash are yet to be announced as of press time.