Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, has dismissed speculation linking him with a possible return to the Mali national team, stating that past experiences have firmly closed that chapter.
The 48-year-old coach has been the subject of intense discussion about his future after guiding Nigeria to a third-place finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Amid the growing speculation, Chelle was asked by reporters whether he would consider coaching Mali again.
In his response, the Super Eagles boss spoke candidly about his emotional connection to the country, while making it clear that a return is not an option. “I can tell you something, Mali is my country, it’s the country of my mother,” Chelle said.
He went on to explain his stance, adding, “And I was humiliated after the game in front of the world.”
Chelle’s comments appear to firmly shut down any possibility of a reunion with the Malian national team. Meanwhile, uncertainty remains over his next move, as his contract with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is set to expire at the conclusion of the ongoing AFCON tournament.
