As the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations approaches, one name stands out in the vibrant world of African football coaching—Eric Sekou Chelle.

Tasked with leading Nigeria’s Super Eagles, Chelle’s appointment marks a new chapter in a journey defined by tactical acumen, versatility, and a love for attacking football.

Chelle enters the tournament as a seasoned tactician with a wealth of experience at both club and international levels.

Known for his adaptability and attacking mindset, Chelle’s mission is clear: to harness Nigeria’s star-studded roster and guide them to AFCON glory.

Profile

Name: Eric Sekou Sekou 

Nationality: France

Age: 48 years 

Current Team: Nigeria 

Tenure: 2025

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Early Career and Coaching Background

Born in 1977, Eric Sekou Chelle boasts a unique blend of footballing influences, with ties to France, Ivory Coast, and Mali. His playing days set the foundation for a coaching career that began in the competitive environment of French football.

Chelle cut his teeth at French clubs US Boulogne and FC Martigues before stepping onto the international stage. In 2023, he guided Mali during the AFCON held in Côte d’Ivoire, leading them to a commendable quarter-final finish. His ability to elevate teams quickly earned him recognition, culminating in a stint with Algerian club MC Oran before his current role with Nigeria.

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Tactical Approach

Eric Chelle is a proponent of attacking football, with a preference for a 4-3-1-2 formation. His teams are known for their high-pressing game, swift transitions, and creative forward runs. Under Chelle’s leadership, flexibility is a hallmark—his ability to adapt strategies to exploit opponents’ weaknesses has been a key factor in his success.

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AFCON Experience

The 2025 AFCON marks Chelle’s second appearance at the tournament as a head coach. His debut at the helm of Mali saw him secure a quarter-final berth in 2023, showcasing his knack for navigating the rigors of African football’s premier competition.

Now at the helm of Nigeria, Chelle faces heightened expectations. Nigerian fans anticipate not just strong performances but silverware, given the depth and talent of the current squad.

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Challenges and Expectations

Chelle’s appointment in January 2025 was met with skepticism from Nigerian football fans, many of whom questioned the credentials of what they termed “a French Ligue 2 veteran.” Despite this, Chelle remains focused on the task at hand—building a cohesive team capable of navigating the tournament’s challenges.

The coach’s first test will come in March during Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers, a crucial period for fine-tuning his squad before the AFCON.

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Fun Fact

Chelle is not just a strategist but a football philosopher who enjoys inspiring his players to embrace the beautiful game’s unpredictability.

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Conclusion

As Eric Sekou Chelle prepares to lead Nigeria into the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, his ability to mold a formidable team from Nigeria’s array of stars will be pivotal. While expectations are sky-high, the journey ahead promises to test both his tactical brilliance and leadership mettle.

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Perhaps owing to their epileptic form, the Super Eagles of Nigeria are not rated by CAF among the five teams to watch at the Africa Cup of Nations holding in December and spreading to January 2026.

The Final Draw of the 35th edition of the premier African football competition will be held in Rabat on Monday, 27 January.

As part of the countdown, CAF has named five teams to watch out for.

While three-time champions and runners-up at the last edition, Nigeria are not mentioned, their under-achieving western neighbours, Benin are among the five teams to watch out for as the tournament, returns to Moroccan soil 37 years after the 1988 edition won by Cameroon. Here are the five teams that CAF listed:

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Côte d’Ivoire: The Reigning Champions Aim to Prove Their Worth

Fresh from their dramatic victory on home soil earlier this year, the Elephants of Côte d’Ivoire have everything to prove in Morocco.

Under the innovative leadership of Emerse Faé, recently crowned CAF Coach of the Year, the team faces the challenge of demonstrating that their triumph was no fluke.

While their AFCON 2025 qualification campaign was far from stellar—finishing second in Group G behind Zambia—the team’s ambition remains undeterred.

Côte d’Ivoire will rely on their young, talented squad and Faé’s strategic brilliance to cement their status as African football heavyweights, despite droppingto 46th in the latest FIFA rankings (sixth in Africa).

Benin: The Cheetahs’ Long-Awaited Return

Benin returns to the AFCON after missing the last two editions, securing qualification by the narrowest of margins.

The Cheetahs finished second in Group D, edging Rwanda on goal difference, and will look to build on their impressive 2019 quarter-final run, which included a stunning elimination of Morocco.

With experienced coach Gernot Rohr at the helm, Benin is poised to reignite its AFCON journey.

Rohr’s tactical expertise and proven leadership bring renewed hope to a team eager to make a lasting impact.

Angola: Breaking New Ground

Angola enters AFCON 2025 with momentum after a stellar qualifying campaign that saw them top Group F, remaining unbeaten against Sudan, Niger, and Ghana.

This performance, coupled with their strong showing at the previous tournament, where they reached the quarter-finals, highlights their growing strength.

Coach Pedro Gonçalves has crafted a resilient team capable of challenging the continent’s best.

Angola, participating in their 10th AFCON, will aim to surpass their historical best of reaching the quarter-finals (2008, 2010, and 2023) and finally break through to the semi-finals.

Morocco: Redemption on Home Soil

Despite reaching the semi-finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Morocco fell short at the last AFCON, suffering a surprising Round of 16 exit to South Africa.

However, the Atlas Lions rebounded with a flawless qualification campaign, winning all six of their matches in Group B.

Under coach Walid Regragui, Morocco boasts a squad brimming with talent and experience.

Hosting the tournament offers an additional advantage, as the team seeks to secure their second AFCON title—50 years after their first triumph in 1976.

Tanzania: The Taifa Stars’ Big Opportunity

Tanzania stunned many by outperforming Guinea in Group H to secure their spot at AFCON 2025. 

Finishing second behind the DR Congo, the Taifa Stars delivered a standout performance, defeating Guinea home and away in the qualifiers.

With their fourth AFCON appearance on the horizon, coach Hemed ‘Morocco’ Suleiman and his team aim to make history by advancing beyond the group stage for the first time.

Their qualification journey hints at a team capable of delivering more surprises on the grand stage.

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The first test of Morocco’s preparedness as top-notch sports organisers will again go under the microscope when the draw ceremony is held on Monday.

The kingdom is not new in hosting events. Morocco is often regarded as the ultimate sports destination.

The country has been able to combine fine athleticism on the fields with magnificent infrastructures and facilities as well as excellent organisation.

Back-to-back, the CAF Awards have been held in Morocco. Where most other African countries lack facilities to host their national teams’ competitive matches, Morocco has always been their destination.

At least three major gatherings will take place in the country this year. They include the U17 African Cup of Nations in April, the Women’s Cup of Nations, and the Cup of Nations.

This underscores the country’s growing influence in African football.  The first of such hosting this year is coming up on Monday – the draw ceremony for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.  

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has highlighted the organisational and infrastructural skills of the kingdom.

CAF tagged Morocco as a leader in the organisation of football in Africa citing AFCON 2025 hosting as an example.

“Morocco’s selection as the host country for the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON 2025 comes as no surprise, given its proven track record in hosting international football competitions.

“Having hosted the TotalEnergies CAF CHAN 2018, the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2022 and the FIFA Club World Cup 2023, Morocco has proven its ability to manage major events.

“This expertise, combined with an unwavering passion for football and modern infrastructure, heralds an edition of the AFCON that could become one of the most memorable in history.

“With the launch of the road to the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON 2025 in Morocco, excitement is at its peak, not only for the tournament itself but also for what it symbolises: a celebration of African football and a reflection of Morocco’s commitment to the sport.

“With world-class infrastructure, a passionate audience and a proven track record in hosting major sporting events, Morocco is poised to stage an AFCON that will redefine the standards of this competition.”

Reminiscing about the beauty of Morocco one week ahead of the #AFCON2025 Final Draw. 🇲🇦🤩#TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 pic.twitter.com/LXahWBZXfF— CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) January 20, 2025

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