The newly appointed coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Eric Chelle will officially resume duty today after an unveiling ceremony and a press conference organized by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
Chelle’s first task will be in the world cup qualifiers in March where the team will take on group leaders Rwanda, before hosting Zimbabwe at home.
He will however take charge of the Nigerian CHAN team made up of players who were picked from the Nigeria Professional Football League, when they take part in the CHAN Championship slated for next month.
Prior to accepting the Nigerian job, the 47 year old was in charge of Algerian side MC Oran and decided to terminate his contract which saw him hand his months wage to the club as financial settlement, after the NFF triggered a clause in his deal that says he can leave the club if a suitable offer from any national team arrives.
Per what we exclusively gathered, the coach also took a significant wage cut, that will see him earn $55,000 a month ,which will be shared between him and his three other assistants on the Super Eagles bench.
In his last game in charge of the team , he took his time to explain why he took such decision explaining that the job of the coach of the senior national team of Nigeria is one that he couldn’t refuse.
“This is my last meeting with you and it marks the end of my adventure here. From Monday, I will be in Nigeria to start a new chapter.
“The MC Oran officials insisted that I continue, but one cannot refuse to lead the one of the best teams in Africa and the world.”
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman