AFCON 2025: Will Nigeria vs. Egypt be the final match for Eric Chelle as Super Eagles head coach?

by Devesh Jaganath

image AFCON 2025: Will Nigeria vs. Egypt be the final match for Eric Chelle as Super Eagles head coach?
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations has reached its climax with only two games left to play before Senegal or Morocco is crowned the new champion. Egypt and Nigeria lost in the semi-final stage and will contest the third-place Playoff, which could mark the end of Eric Chelle’s tenure with the Super Eagles.

Chelle reveals uncertainty over his future with Super Eagles 

We have been treated to a month of incredible football, and on Sunday, either Senegal or Morocco will be crowned champions of the continent after facing off in the 2025 AFCON final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. Check out our AFCON 2025 predictions. 

The Lions of Teranga booked their spot in the continental showpiece by defeating Egypt 1-0 in the semi-final, with Sadio Mane scoring the only goal of the match, while the Atlas Lions played to a goalless draw before ousting Nigeria on penalties in midweek. 

As a result, the Super Eagles and the Pharaohs will meet in the third-place Playoff on Saturday afternoon in Casablanca in a match that could be Eric Chelle's final bow as head coach of the Nigerian national football team.

The Super Eagles have endured a difficult few years, losing the 2023 (2024) Africa Cup of Nations to the Ivory Coast before failing to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which has thrown the French-Malian’s future with the team into uncertainty. 

Ahead of the tournament, the NFF had confirmed that the target for Chelle was to guide the three-time African champions to at least the semi-final. However, while he did achieve that goal, Chelle has revealed in an interview that he is unsure what the future holds for him. He said: 

“My future, I don’t know for now. I am the coach of Nigeria at this moment, but it depends on whether the NFF want me to continue or not. The tournament is not over yet. After the AFCON, I will meet with the NFF and we will decide the next step.”

Chelle also discussed the loss to Morocco in the semi-final, admitting that he knew overcoming the tournament hosts was not going to be easy. He also praised his players for their performance and reaffirmed that they will do everything to return home with the bronze medal. 

Tunisia plotting $100K per month swoop for Chelle?

In the wake of the news that the Nigerian Football Federation may be considering parting ways with Eric Chelle in the coming weeks, reports have begun to circulate that Tunisia could be the next destination for the 48-year-old head coach. 

The Carthage Eagles suffered a disappointing end to their 2025 AFCON campaign, bowing out in the Round of 16 in a penalty shootout to Mali. Following their elimination, Sami Trabelsi opted to step down as the national team’s head coach with immediate effect. 

According to former Super Eagles media officer Peterside Idah, the Tunisian Football Federation (TFF) has identified Chelle as a potential target to lead the team forward. He also revealed that the TFF are willing to offer Chelle a $100,000 monthly salary, double what he currently earns with Nigeria. 

An added incentive for Chelle, should these reports turn out to be true, is that Tunisia have qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, meaning that he would have the immediate opportunity to coach in football’s grandest tournament later this year.