Eric Chelle Explains $130,000 Salary Proposal, Reaffirms Loyalty to Super Eagles

Head coach of the Super Eagles, Eric Chelle, has defended his request for an upward review of his salary, stressing that the proposal is meant to enhance his working conditions and technical efficiency, not to signal an intention to leave his role with the Nigeria Football Federation.

The clarification follows public reactions to a leaked document in which Chelle proposed new contractual terms, including an adjustment of his monthly salary from $50,000 to $130,000. The Franco-Malian tactician explained that the figure is not purely for personal remuneration but is designed to accommodate the cost of running his entire technical and backroom staff, which he is contractually obligated to fund.

According to Chelle, the structure of coaching national teams in Africa differs significantly from that of Europe, as head coaches are often responsible for paying their assistants directly. He said the proposed increase is necessary to maintain professional standards and ensure efficiency within the Super Eagles setup.

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“When people talk about $130,000, they forget that it’s not just for me. With African national teams I’ve worked with, I have to pay my technical staff myself. These requests are simply to give me the right conditions to do my job properly,” he said.

The salary adjustment forms part of 19 formal requests submitted to the NFF on January 22, which the federation has confirmed are currently under review by its executive board. The discussions are taking place amid talks surrounding a possible contract extension, although no final decision has been announced.

Chelle also dismissed speculation linking him to Olympique Marseille, as well as claims that he issued an ultimatum to the NFF after Nigeria finished third at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Speaking on the Histoires de Foot Podcast, he insisted that he never threatened to resign or used interest from Europe as leverage.

“I have never gone to Nigeria to say I was going to leave for Marseille or to renegotiate everything. There is no interview or statement where I said I would resign or threaten anyone,” he said. Chelle added that he still has one year left on his contract and remains fully engaged with his responsibilities, including ongoing meetings with his technical crew to prepare for upcoming fixtures.

While admitting that his agents made exploratory contact with Marseille when the French club was in search of a new coach, Chelle said there was no direct engagement between himself and the club. He explained that the situation was exaggerated by social media speculation and insisted he never authorised any public communication suggesting an imminent move.

Beyond salary, the coach’s 19 requests reportedly include logistical, security, and technical provisions aimed at improving team performance. These include a private SUV with a driver and security detail, accommodation in a secure neighbourhood with stable electricity, a fully furnished office with a projector for tactical sessions, autonomy over squad selection, and input in arranging international friendly matches.

Other reported requests include structured access to domestic league fixtures for scouting across the senior team and age-grade sides, inclusion of his personal assistant in the bonus structure, provision of flight tickets for his wife and two children, and access to modern technical equipment that meets his coaching standards.

Chelle said he was particularly troubled by how the confidential document entered the public domain, noting that he is still trying to understand how internal correspondence was leaked to the media.

Despite the controversy, the Super Eagles coach insisted that his attention remains firmly on football matters. He is expected to unveil his squad for the next international window, where Nigeria will participate in a four-nation invitational tournament in Amman, facing Iran national football team, Jordan national football team, and Costa Rica national football team.

The NFF has maintained that it is committed to stability within the Super Eagles technical crew, assuring stakeholders that Chelle’s proposals will be carefully reviewed in line with the federation’s long-term objectives.

Eric Chelle Explains $130,000 Salary Proposal, Reaffirms Loyalty to Super Eagles

Osimhen Now Worth €150m Following Napoli Exit, Galatasaray VP Claims

Victor Osimhen, the Nigerian striker, has seen his market value soar to over N239 billion (€150 million) following his high-profile move from SSC Napoli to Galatasaray SK, according to Vice President Abdullah Kavukcu. The revelation came after Osimhen starred in Galatasaray’s UEFA Champions League win on Wednesday, scoring a goal and providing an assist.

Kavukcu described Osimhen as the “crown jewel” of Galatasaray’s strategy to transform the Istanbul club into a global football powerhouse within five years. He said the club is no longer content with dominating Turkish football and aims to compete with Europe’s elite.

The 27-year-old striker has been exceptional since joining Galatasaray permanently for a €75 million transfer fee, scoring 15 goals in 23 appearances across all competitions. Kavukcu added that Osimhen’s performances have effectively doubled his market value, validating the club’s significant investment.

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On the business side, Kavukcu highlighted the challenges of securing Osimhen from Napoli, noting that President Aurelio De Laurentiis required assurance that the Turkish club could meet the financial demands. “Having succeeded is a source of pride because we have shown the power of our club,” he said.

The vice president also confirmed the club’s ambitions to strengthen the squad further. Galatasaray is pursuing Inter Milan playmaker Hakan Calhanoglu, with Kavukcu insisting that the deal is a matter of “when” rather than “if” despite previous bids being rejected. He emphasized that Calhanoglu, a Turkish international icon, remains a primary target for the club.

Kavukcu concluded by reiterating that Osimhen is one of the best centre-forwards in the world, and Galatasaray aims to achieve great success on both domestic and European fronts, with the Nigerian striker leading the line.

Osimhen Now Worth €150m Following Napoli Exit, Galatasaray VP Claims

Lookman Assist Powers Atletico to 7–4 Aggregate Win Over Brugge

Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman delivered a decisive impact off the bench as Atletico Madrid thrashed Club Brugge KV 4–1 at the Estadio Metropolitano to complete a 7–4 aggregate win and book their place in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16.

After a pulsating 3–3 draw in the first leg in Belgium, Atletico produced a commanding second-leg performance in front of their home supporters, blending tactical discipline with attacking ruthlessness.

The breakthrough came in the 23rd minute when Alexander Sørloth latched onto a precise long ball from goalkeeper Jan Oblak and calmly slotted past the Brugge keeper to make it 1–0. The visitors responded before the break, with Joel Ordóñez rising highest to head home an equaliser and briefly silence the home crowd.

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Atletico regained control almost immediately after halftime. Just three minutes into the second half, Johnny Cardoso struck from range to restore the hosts’ advantage and tilt momentum firmly in their favour. Despite missing suspended Nigerian midfielder Raphael Onyedika, Club Brugge enjoyed spells of possession but struggled to create clear-cut chances against a compact Atletico defence.

The contest turned emphatically in the 70th minute when manager Diego Simeone introduced Lookman. The Nigerian winger injected pace and directness into Atletico’s attack, stretching Brugge’s defensive lines.

Six minutes after coming on, Lookman made his mark. Combining intelligently with Sørloth and Antoine Griezmann, he displayed composure and awareness to square a perfectly weighted pass across goal, allowing Sørloth to tap home his second of the night. The assist effectively ended Brugge’s hopes of a comeback.

Sørloth completed his hat-trick in the 87th minute, sealing an emphatic 4–1 victory and capping a dominant European night for the Spanish side.

For Lookman, the performance marked his seventh goal contribution of the season for Atletico, underlining his growing importance in Simeone’s squad. His late cameo included an assist and an impressive record in successful dribbles and ground duels during his 20-minute appearance.

The result sends Atletico Madrid confidently into the next round of the Champions League, while Club Brugge bow out after a spirited two-legged contest. With momentum building and squad depth proving decisive, Atletico now look ahead to the knockout stages with renewed belief.

Lookman Assist Powers Atletico to 7–4 Aggregate Win Over Brugge