Sports
NSC Dismisses Eric Chelle Exit Rumours, Confirms Super Eagles Coach Is Staying
Olopade told The PUNCH that Chelle remains fully committed to Nigeria’s long-term football project despite interest from Algeria, Angola, Gabon, Tunisia and Côte d’Ivoire following Nigeria’s third-place finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The renewed agreement includes a salary increase from $50,000 to $100,000 monthly, expanded responsibilities overseeing the U-23 Olympic Eagles, improved welfare for assistants, housing support with uninterrupted electricity, security arrangements, performance-based targets and clauses protecting staff from administrative interference in team selection.
Olopade said Chelle, born in Abidjan and holding Ivorian, French and Malian nationality, was “not bothered by all those rumours.” His next major assignment is the 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign, with Nigeria drawn in Group H alongside Madagascar, Tanzania and Guinea-Bissau.
Key Points:
Fans gain confidence in coaching stability ahead of crucial AFCON qualifying campaign.
Salary increase reflects Nigeria’s commitment to retaining top football talent.
Expanded role over U-23 team signals long-term player development strategy.
Contract protections indicate learning from past administrative interference issues.
Timing of renewal, amid multiple suitors, demonstrates Nigeria’s proactive approach.
Chelle’s performance in the 2027 AFCON qualifiers will be the first test of his renewed mandate, with Group H matches starting in September 2026.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino told Swiss news platform Blue News that the organisation’s relevant committees will discuss the potential expansion following the current World Cup, co-hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada.
Infantino argued that including more teams gives “smaller countries” an “incentive to keep improving” and described the expansion from 32 to 48 teams as “100 percent” successful, pointing to nine of ten African teams advancing from the group stage.
The 2030 World Cup, marking the centenary edition, will be hosted primarily by Spain, Portugal and Morocco, with some matches in Uruguay, Paraguay and Argentina.
Key Points:
Larger tournament could increase participation opportunities for African and Asian nations.
More matches may generate additional revenue but strain host infrastructure and player welfare.
Smaller footballing nations gain development incentives and global visibility.
Proposal signals FIFA’s continued prioritization of commercial and geographical expansion.
Timing matters as the 2026 tournament’s success strengthens Infantino’s case for further growth.
The football world will watch how FIFA balances expansion ambitions against concerns about match quality, player workload, and logistical feasibility.
FIFA has announced the match officials for the 2026 World Cup semi-final between France and Spain, with experienced Salvadoran referee Ivan Barton set to officiate the blockbuster clash at Dallas Stadium on Tuesday.
Barton will be assisted by fellow Salvadoran David Moran as Assistant Referee 1 and Argentina’s Antonio Pupiro as Assistant Referee 2. Sweden’s Glenn Nyberg will serve as the fourth official. France are chasing a third consecutive World Cup final appearance after winning in 2018 and finishing runners-up in 2022.
Spain are seeking only their second World Cup final appearance, having won their maiden title in 2010. The winner will advance to the final, while the loser will contest the third-place playoff. The two nations last met at a World Cup in 2006, when France won 3-1.
Key Points:
Ivan Barton, a Salvadoran referee, will officiate the France vs Spain semi-final
France are chasing a record-extending fifth World Cup final appearance
Spain are seeking their second final appearance since winning in 2010
The match is a rematch of the Euro 2024 semi-final, which Spain won 2-1
The two nations have met just once at the World Cup—France won 3-1 in 2006
The France-Spain semi-final will kick off at 3:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, July 14, at Dallas Stadium. The winner advances to the final, with a place in football history at stake.
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