NFF Moves to Clear Eric Chelle’s Unpaid Salaries Ahead of AFCON 2025

As Nigeria intensifies preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, the Nigeria Football Federation has confirmed that Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, will soon receive his outstanding wages.

Reports surfaced earlier in the week claiming the Malian tactician is being owed three months’ salary and bonuses, just days before the AFCON kicks off on December 21, running through January 18, 2026.

Despite the claims, Chelle has reportedly not lodged any formal complaint with the NFF about the delay.

A senior NFF official, who spoke on the matter, assured that the payment is already in process.

“Eric has met with us, and everything has been explained. His money is already approved on paper  we’re only waiting for the financial release. He knows this. We even paid him in advance previously, but nobody talked about that,” the official said.

This situation echoes remarks made earlier in May by the National Sports Commission chairman, Shehu Dikko, who revealed that a presidentially endorsed support group had funded Chelle’s salary upfront until October. The move, he said, was to give the NFF time to secure long-term financial stability and sponsorship for the national team.

Meanwhile, AFCON Deadlines Loom

Chelle is expected to submit his provisional AFCON squad between today and Thursday, with CAF’s final squad deadline set for December 11. Clubs must release selected players by December 15.

Nigeria has the option of naming 28 players for the tournament.

The Super Eagles will camp in Egypt starting Wednesday, December 10, and are scheduled to face the Pharaohs in an unofficial friendly on December 16.

Nigeria’s AFCON 2025 Group Fixtures

The Super Eagles are drawn in Group C, alongside:

• Tunisia

• Uganda

• Tanzania

Their group-stage match schedule is as follows:

• Dec 23: Nigeria vs Tanzania — Fès

• Dec 27: Nigeria vs Tunisia — Fès

• Dec 31: Uganda vs Nigeria — Fès

Nigeria, runners-up at the last AFCON after losing to hosts Ivory Coast, are chasing a fourth continental crown, having previously lifted the trophy in 1980, 1994, and 2013.