AFCON 2025: Eric Chelle will leave Nigeria for Tunisia job — Ex-Super Eagles stars says

Former Super Eagles goalkeeper Peterside Idah opined that Eric Chelle will resign from his role as Nigeria’s senior men’s national team head coach to take the job in Tunisia.

The Franco-Malian has led the Super Eagles to the semi-final of the AFCON, with many fans of the national team satisfied with the work he has done. However, there are concerns over his continuation following reports of a significant offer from the Carthage Eagles.

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As Pulse Sports reported, Nigeria could lose head coach Eric Chelle after the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, as Tunisia are reportedly keen on landing the Malian tactician.

According to reports, the Tunisian Football Federation has sounded out Chelle with a salary offer of $100,000 per month—effectively doubling his current $50,000 monthly wage in Nigeria.

Unlike the Super Eagles, Tunisia have already secured their spot in the 2026 World Cup, offering Chelle the immediate platform on the global stage. However, despite the lucrative figures being circulated and the possibility of coaching a team in the World Cup, Chelle says the NFF will decide his fate.

Idah, who is based in South Africa and is a pundit for SuperSports, expressed scepticism over Chelle’s continuation, expressing certainty that the former Mali coach will take the Tunisia job.

“Kudos must go to the coach (Eric Chelle),” Idah said, per Channels TV. “He took this team when the spirit was low but he has raised a team. I hear he wants to go to Tunisia, and a friend asked me, ‘Would he go to Tunisia?’ I said, ‘Yes.’

“He is a businessman, and they have offered him a $100,000 per month. Not just that, he will make a name. And that name is being a coach of a World Cup side. It's the highest level of coaching anywhere in the world that you coached a team to the World Cup. So, I think he would go if the offer we are hearing is good.”

The Tunisian job became vacant after the country’s football federation fired Sami Trabelsi following their round-of-16 exit at the AFCON. However, it is unlikely they are still interested in Eric Chelle, as they announced the appointment of Sabri Lamouchi as his replacement on Wednesday, January 14th. He signed until 2028.