Sports
NFF Assures Chelle of Unpaid Salaries Ahead of AFCON 2025
Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle will soon receive his unpaid salaries as Nigeria steps up preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, The PUNCH reports.
Chelle is reportedly owed three months of salary and bonuses by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) ahead of the tournament scheduled for December 21, 2025 to January 18, 2026.
With CAF permitting 28-man squad lists for the AFCON 2025 finals, Chelle is expected to release his players’ list between today and Thursday. The deadline for squad submission is Thursday, December 11, while clubs are mandated to release players by Monday, December 15.
Journalist Shina Okeleji wrote via X on Tuesday,
“Nigeria coach Eric Chelle is owed three months’ salary and bonuses ahead of the AFCON.
The Malian, who led the Eagles to 2026 World Cup play-off, has, however, yet to make an official complaint to his employers (the NFF) about the non-payment of his salary.”
Responding to the claims, a senior NFF official confirmed to The PUNCH that Chelle’s outstanding wages will soon be cleared.
“Eric came to see us, and we explained the processes. His money will be paid. We have paid him even ahead before, and this time, we are waiting for cash backing from finance. The money on paper has been paid, and the coach is aware,” the source said.
He added, “When they paid him two months ahead, all these were not glorified, and we don’t need this now.”
Earlier in May, Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, revealed that the commission had made provisions for Chelle’s upfront salary payments until October, through a presidentially endorsed support group, to stabilize Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup qualification push.
He said,
“We worked with the Nigeria Football Federation to appoint the coach, and although the NFF signed his contract, we, through the support group, decided to cover his salary until October. This will give the NFF space to secure long-term funding and sponsorship.”
Chelle, appointed in January, led Nigeria through a disappointing World Cup qualifying campaign, where the Super Eagles reached the African playoff but lost on penalties to DR Congo marking back-to-back World Cup absences for Nigeria.
AFCON 2025 will be Chelle’s third major assignment with the Super Eagles. Nigeria will compete in Group C, alongside Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania.
The team’s camp opens on Wednesday, December 10, in Egypt, with a pre-tournament friendly against the Pharaohs scheduled for December 16.
Nigeria begins its AFCON 2025 campaign on December 23 against Tanzania at the Complexe Sportif de Fès. Group rivals Tunisia and Uganda will meet the same day in Rabat.
The highly anticipated Nigeria vs Tunisia clash comes up on December 27, while the final Group C matches will be played simultaneously on December 31.
Nigeria, runners-up in the last AFCON after losing 2–1 to hosts Ivory Coast, are chasing their fourth continental title, having won previously in 1980, 1994, and 2013.
