NFF Moves to Resolve Coach Chelle’s Unpaid Wages as AFCON 2025 Preparations Intensify
An administrative hurdle threatens to overshadow Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations build-up, raising questions about the federation’s financial stability.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is taking steps to address the unpaid salary of Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle, a situation that has cast a shadow over the team’s preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco. According to a report by The Tide News Online, the Malian tactician is owed three months’ salary and bonuses, an issue that surfaced publicly despite Chelle not having lodged a formal complaint.
A Recurring Administrative Challenge
The revelation of unpaid wages points to a persistent structural issue within Nigerian football administration. The NFF has attributed the delay to internal financial processing, with senior officials stating that Chelle’s payments have been approved and are awaiting final treasury clearance. They noted the coach had previously received advance payments, suggesting the current backlog is procedural rather than a sign of outright neglect.
This incident is not isolated. The federation’s 2024 was marked by managerial instability, culminating in Finidi George’s resignation citing a lack of institutional support. The handling of coaching contracts and compensation has repeatedly emerged as a pressure point, undermining long-term planning and stability for the national team.
Timing Couldn’t Be Worse as AFCON Looms
The timing of this administrative snag is particularly problematic. The Super Eagles are deep into their final preparations for AFCON 2025, where they are drawn in Group C alongside Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania. The team is scheduled to hold a training camp in Egypt before their tournament opener against Tanzania on December 23.
“With squad lists due and players reporting to camp, clarity off the pitch is as crucial as fitness on it,” said a Lagos-based sports analyst. “Uncertainty around the coach’s situation, however calmly he handles it, introduces an avoidable distraction. It speaks to a federation that is often reactive rather than proactive in its support structure.”
From Presidential Support to NFF Responsibility
Adding a layer of complexity is the transition in who funds the coach’s salary. Earlier this year, the National Sports Commission confirmed it had funded Chelle’s salary upfront until October through a presidential support arrangement. That temporary financial bridge has now expired, fully reverting the responsibility to the NFF’s own coffers and budgetary processes.
This shift highlights the perennial funding challenges faced by the federation. Reliance on external or government support for core operational costs like coaching salaries creates fragility. The current delay may be a symptom of the NFF adjusting to this renewed financial autonomy under significant time pressure.
Chelle’s Performance Amidst the Uncertainty
Remarkably, the salary issue has emerged against a backdrop of relative on-field success under Chelle. Since his appointment in January, he has not lost a competitive match in regulation time, instilling a sense of optimism and calm leadership that has been widely praised. His professional silence on the payment delay, while commendable, also underscores a power dynamic where coaches may be reluctant to publicly challenge their employers.
The NFF’s prompt move to “address concerns” is likely driven by a need to protect team morale and public confidence ahead of a major tournament. Resolving the matter swiftly is not just about fulfilling a contractual obligation; it is a critical step in ensuring the coaching staff can focus entirely on the formidable task of guiding Nigeria to a fourth continental title.
Primary Source: This report is based on information first reported by The Tide News Online.