Before his emergence as coach of the Nigeria Super Eagles, Eric Sekou Chelle had endured his sacking from the Malian Football Federation following a quarterfinal exit in the 2024 AFCON, that held in Cote d’Ivoire.
His appointment certainly drew the wrath of most Nigerians who believed he lacked the requisite credentials to lead a football Nation with such a title thirsty ambition.
Fast forward from January 2025 when he assumed his role to the present, the Franco-Malian had already forced his critics to chew their words and revert to singing his praise chiefly because he had claimed 14 points from an expected 18 during World Cup qualifying.
He had picked up a bronze medal in the recently concluded AFCON, had avoided defeat in open play all through the Afcon plus failing to concede any goal from the quarter final stage as well as delivering an entertaining and assured brand of football to a nation that yearned for it for years, amongst other key considerations.
With great performances they say, comes with increased patronage.
Rumours emerged of Tunisia’s offer of One hundred thousand dollars($100,000) monthly salary to Chelle as well as increased links to top European clubs in the French ligue 1 amongst others for his services.
Recently, a leaked document containing a 19-point condition for a contract extension from Eric Chelle’s camp emerged across social media platforms.
The conditions include detailed personal welfare packages, key technical assistance gadgets, full autonomy in key decision making processes across all national team set ups, unified playing system and improved remuneration for himself and group amounting to exactly one hundred and thirty thousand dollars per month ( an equivalence of over 174 Million Naira).
Despite critics calling for Eric Chelle’ s immediate departure following his submission of an astronomically looking contract request, in truth, the Franco-Malian deserves his claims but reality suggests a different kettle of fish.
So far, only Algeria’ s Vladimir Petkovic earns highest across Africa with 135,000 euros as salary with the likes of Hugo Broos of South Africa (€75,000 ), Walid Regragui of Morocco (€70,000),Emerse Fae of Cote d’Ivoire (€75,000 ) and Gernot Rohr of Benin Republic (€25,000 ) earning appreciably closer.
While Eric Sekou Chelle must not forget how he assumed the role of Super Eagles of Nigeria as coach, the NFF must find a compromising platform of negotiation to reach an agreement with a man whose input thus far has pointed towards an upward trajectory in such a little time frame.
Except Eric Chelle’s camp is only attempting to tactfully extricate itself from the fangs of the NFF in such a crucial time of the Nation’ s footballing journey to grab a mouthwatering offer by the corner, there has to be a genuine willingness by the Franco-Malian to reach a consensus that will represent some level of gratitude to a top footballing nation that offered him a job only few Nigerians would have given him then.
Now that Chelle appears to hold the higher ground of negotiations, he must not forget the depth of sacrifice and gamble taken to hoist him on one of Africa’s most glamorous footballing hot seats, presenting him a pay back time for the few who believed in his capabilities to deliver.
Written by Yaksat Maklek ( PRTVC, Jos Plateau State)
