Super Eagles: Nigeria will regret it – Gara-Gombe warns NFF against handing Chelle $130,000 salary
Ahmed Shuaibu Gara-Gombe Critiques Potential Contract Renewal for Super Eagles Coach
Former chairman of the Gombe State Football Association, Ahmed Shuaibu Gara-Gombe, has voiced concerns regarding the Nigeria Football Federation’s consideration of renewing Eric Chelle’s contract as head coach of the Super Eagles.
Chelle currently earns approximately $50,000 per month and has less than a year remaining on his existing contract. Recent reports indicate that he has outlined 19 demands, including a significant salary increase to $130,000, as a condition for extending his tenure with the team.
In an interview with The Guardian, Gara-Gombe expressed his belief that extending Chelle’s contract would be a strategic misstep for Nigeria. He criticized Chelle’s reported demands, suggesting they reflect an attempt to capitalize on the international recognition he has gained through his association with the Super Eagles.
“I don’t believe it is okay,” Gara-Gombe stated. “Chelle came to Nigeria to enhance his CV. The Super Eagles are too big for him. He wants to ‘blackmail’ us after the Super Eagles have put him on a global stage.”
Gara-Gombe further argued that, given the talent within the Nigerian team, the federation should not feel compelled to meet Chelle’s financial expectations. “With the players Nigeria possesses, we are even the ones to ask a coach like Eric Chelle to pay us ‘privileged fees’,” he added.
Additionally, Gara-Gombe dismissed rumors linking Chelle to Olympique Marseille, calling it a fabricated narrative and questioning the feasibility of his demands.
“If he wishes to leave, let him go,” Gara-Gombe said. “I haven’t seen any tangible impact from him on the Super Eagles. If we retain Chelle at this amount, Nigeria will regret it.”
