Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle has emerged as one of the most sought-after managers in African football following the Super Eagles’ stellar performance at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Reports indicate that Tunisia, Mali, and Guinea are among the countries linked with moves to secure the services of the French coach.

Chelle’s reputation has soared after leading Nigeria to the semi-finals with a perfect record so far—winning all five matches, scoring 14 goals, and conceding just four. This includes a commanding 2–0 quarter-final victory over Algeria, during which the North Africans failed to register a single shot on target.

Sources suggest that Tunisia is prepared to make a significant financial offer to lure Chelle after the tournament. The Tunisian football authorities are reportedly ready to offer a monthly salary of around $100,000, with formal negotiations expected post-AFCON, amid ongoing uncertainty about Chelle’s long-term contract situation with Nigeria.

Interest from Guinea has also intensified. In August, reports indicated that the Guinean Football Federation had turned their attention to Chelle after negotiations with their preferred candidate, Paulo Duarte, stalled over salary disagreements.

“While Paulo Duarte, the top favorite for the Syli national team job, has yet to finalize a contract due to salary demands, President Sory Doumbouya took the opportunity to explore Eric Chelle, who is already in position with Nigeria,” journalists reported.

SCORE Nigeria also confirmed on Sunday that Chelle’s success with the Super Eagles is drawing interest from other African nations, including Angola and Guinea.

“I can confirm that there are offers for Eric. At least two 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Angola and Guinea, have shown interest in working with him, but what matters most is that he remains focused on achieving his goal with Nigeria in Morocco,” reported Samm Audu for SCORENigeria.

Mali, Chelle’s former employers, are reportedly regretting their decision to part ways with him after he guided the team to the quarter-finals of the 2023 AFCON. Senegalese commentator Saiid At Tijani argued that Mali “performed much better under Éric Chelle,” noting that lingering issues lay with certain players, a view that has since been vindicated.

Malian outlet Les Aigles Du Mali similarly observed that Chelle’s departure coincided with a drop in the team’s average points per competition, despite fewer goals conceded under his successor.

Among Nigerian fans, Chelle’s turnaround has earned widespread praise, particularly after the disappointment of November 2025, when Nigeria lost the World Cup play-off final to DR Congo on penalties in Rabat. That setback seemed to mark a low point, but the team’s response at AFCON has been emphatic, with group stage wins over Tunisia and Uganda, a 4–0 victory against Mozambique in the round of 16, and a composed quarter-final win over Algeria.

Statistically, Chelle’s squad has been impressive: scoring 14 goals in five matches, conceding just four, averaging 2.8 goals per game, maintaining 62% possession, and completing 88.6% of passes accurately. Defensively, Nigeria has kept two clean sheets, averaging 14.6 tackles and 16.2 clearances per game, while committing only one penalty.

Observers have drawn comparisons with the late Stephen Keshi, who was dismissed by Mali after reaching the quarter-finals of the 2010 AFCON before leading Nigeria to continental glory three years later.

As the Super Eagles prepare for the latter stages of the tournament in Morocco, Chelle remains focused on delivering success with Nigeria, even as interest from across Africa continues to grow.