Former chairman of the Gombe State Football Association, Ahmed Shuaibu Gara-Gombe, has cautioned Nigerian football authorities against yielding to what he described as excessive demands from Eric Chelle, head coach of the Nigeria national football team. Reports claim Chelle presented 19 conditions for continuing in his role, including a proposed salary increase from €50,000 to €130,000 per month. The development comes weeks after he guided Nigeria to a third-place finish at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Although the Super Eagles narrowly missed the final after losing on penalties to hosts Morocco national football team, the team impressed with an attacking style, scoring 14 goals — the highest tally in the tournament. Following the campaign, the Nigeria Football Federation and the National Sports Commission signalled their willingness to retain Chelle and possibly extend his contract. However, negotiations over improved terms have reportedly divided stakeholders. Gara-Gombe criticised the reported demands, arguing that Nigeria should not feel pressured to offer a pay rise. “I don’t think it is okay,” he said. “This man just came to Nigeria to boost his CV. I said it before that the Super Eagles are too big for Chelle. The Super Eagles raised Chelle to the global stage, not him raising the team, and he now wants to ‘blackmail’ us.” He also dismissed speculation linking Chelle with European opportunities, including reported interest from Olympique de Marseille, describing such claims as unfounded. “If he wants to go, let him go. I have not seen any impact he made on the Super Eagles,” Gara-Gombe added, insisting that recent victories were more a reflection of the players’ individual brilliance than the coach’s influence.
Gara-Gombe warns NFF against accepting Chelle’s reported demands
