Paris FC winger Moses Simon has praised the Nigeria Football Federation’s decision to extend Eric Chelle’s stay as head coach of the Super Eagles, calling the Malian tactician a unifying presence in the dressing room.
Key takeaways
- Moses Simon welcomed the NFF’s move to give Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle a new long-term contract.
- Simon, speaking as the team’s first vice-captain, said the squad is united in backing Chelle’s leadership.
- The contract extension keeps Chelle in the role through to 2030.
- Under the revised deal, Chelle’s monthly pay rises from $50,000 to $100,000.
- The NFF will cover assistant coaches’ wages directly rather than having Chelle fund those costs.
- Simon stressed that, despite disappointment over the ongoing World Cup, the players expect better results in future matches.
Simon backs Chelle as the team’s unifier
Simon said the Super Eagles players believe Chelle can raise the national team to “greater heights,” adding that the group is fully aligned behind his direction.
He pointed to the coach’s influence beyond tactics, describing Chelle as both a fatherly and brother-like figure to the squad. Simon also credited Chelle with successfully bringing the players together, highlighting his work in the “last game” as evidence of that impact.
In Simon’s view, Chelle’s commitment to the players has helped create a strong sense of purpose. The winger said the coach “loves his players” and wants them to push for success in every match, which in turn has helped the squad stay motivated to give their best for Chelle and for themselves.
Deal details raise the bar for future results
The NFF agreed the extension after an encouraging start to Chelle’s reign, with the deal set to run until 2030.
As part of the new arrangement, Chelle’s monthly salary was doubled from $50,000 to $100,000. The federation will also pay his assistant coaches directly, changing the previous cost structure in which Chelle had to cover those expenses himself.
Simon acknowledged that while players are confident in their coach, the contract also increases the expectations surrounding the team’s performances.
He added that the Eagles are disappointed at missing out on the ongoing World Cup, but said they intend to improve in subsequent fixtures under Chelle’s guidance—believing the national team will be better as a result of his continuation in the job.
