Éric Chelle

Éric Sékou Chelle (born 11 November 1977) is a football manager and former player who played for the Malian national team, and currently serves as head coach of the Nigeria national football team and mainly played as a centre-back. Born in Ivory Coast to a French father and a Malian mother, he made five appearances for the Mali national team.

Playing career Chelle was born in the Ivory Coast to a French father and Malian mother, and was raised in France. He holds Malian, French and Ivorian citizenship. He spent his whole career in France, appearing for Martigues, Valenciennes, Lens, Istres, and Chamois Niortais. At international level, he represented Mali.

Coaching career In May 2021, he was appointed head coach of US Boulogne. He was dismissed by Boulogne on 11 December 2021, after the club gained three points in preceding ten games.

In 2022, Chelle was appointed manager of Mali. Under his guidance at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, Mali topped their group ahead of eventual semifinalists South Africa and reached the quarter finals against hosts Ivory Coast, where they were eliminated in the very last minute of extra time. He was dismissed on 13 June 2024.

On 9 October 2024, Éric Chelle became the coach of MC Oran in the Algerian Ligue 1 Pro.

On 7 January 2025, Chelle was announced by the Nigeria Football Federation as the head coach of the Nigeria Senior Football National Team, the Super Eagles.

In December 2025–January 2026, he led Nigeria to a bronze medal at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. In June 2026, he had his contract renewed and was given the job of the Olympic Eagles, Nigeria's under-23 side.

Managerial statistics

Honours Player FC Valenciennes Ligue 2: 2005–06 RC Lens Ligue 2: 2008–09

Manager Nigeria Unity Cup: 2025, 2026 Africa Cup of Nations third place: 2025