ABUJA, Nigeria — Nigeria’s preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations have been clouded by reports that the Super Eagles’ head coach, Eric Chelle, is owed at least three months’ salary and outstanding bonuses by the Nigeria Football Federation.
The disclosure was made on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, by BBC Sport journalist Oluwashina Okeleji, who published the information on his account on X.
According to Okeleji, the Malian coach has not received any salary payments for three months, even as the tournament draws near.
“Chelle goes unpaid,” Okeleji wrote.
“Nigeria coach Eric Chelle is owed three months’ salary and bonuses ahead of the AFCON.”
He added that despite the arrears, the coach has not taken any formal steps to challenge the situation with the football authorities.
“The Malian, who led the Super Eagles to the 2026 World Cup playoff, has, however, yet to make an official complaint to his employers (the NFF) about the non-payment of his salary,” Okeleji said.
The report comes at a delicate moment for Nigerian football, just two weeks before the start of the Africa Cup of Nations, which kicks off in Morocco on Sunday, December 21, 2025.
Chelle is expected to submit his final 28-man squad for the tournament by Wednesday, December 10, 2025, a key deadline in the team’s preparations.
Chelle, 48, was appointed in January 2025 with the task of stabilising the Super Eagles after a difficult period marked by managerial changes and inconsistent results.
His tenure has already been tested by a turbulent World Cup qualifying campaign that saw Nigeria struggle through the final phase of the African qualifiers.
Although the team reached the 2026 World Cup playoff, their campaign ended in disappointment after a defeat to the Democratic Republic of Congo in the CAF playoff final, denying Nigeria a place at the next World Cup.
Despite that setback, Chelle has remained in charge and has overseen preparations for AFCON 2025, where Nigeria will once again be among the tournament favourites.
The Super Eagles are seeking a fourth continental title, having last lifted the trophy in 2013.
The reported salary arrears raise fresh concerns about administrative and financial challenges within the Nigeria Football Federation, which has faced recurring criticism over delayed payments to players, coaches and backroom staff over the years.
Similar issues have previously disrupted tournament preparations and, in some cases, led to protests by players before major international fixtures.
For now, there has been no official response from the NFF regarding the alleged non-payment. The federation has also not addressed whether arrangements are being made to clear the salaries before the team departs for Morocco.
Chelle has also not commented publicly on the situation.
According to Okeleji’s report, the coach has continued his duties without lodging any formal grievance, an approach that some analysts interpret as an attempt to avoid distractions ahead of the tournament.
With AFCON fast approaching, football stakeholders in Nigeria are urging the authorities to resolve all outstanding financial issues swiftly to prevent unrest in the camp.
Past tournaments have shown how unresolved pay disputes can undermine morale and affect performance on the pitch.
Nigeria will enter the competition with significant expectations from fans and officials alike, following their recent status as continental runners-up.
Supporters are hoping that administrative matters will not derail the team’s bid for silverware.
As the Super Eagles await the final squad announcement and continue their build-up to the opening match, the unresolved salary issue casts an uncomfortable shadow over preparations, placing additional pressure on the NFF to ensure that off-field matters do not compromise Nigeria’s pursuit of a fourth Africa Cup of Nations title.
