Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle has again apologised to Nigerians for the team’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while also expressing his desire to remain in charge beyond his current contract.

Chelle has been in charge of the Super Eagles since January 2025.

With about six months left on his current deal, his future remains uncertain following the inability of his agent and the Nigeria Football Federation to reach an agreement on the terms of an extension.

The Franco-Malian coach joined Nigeria’s World Cup qualifying campaign in March 2025, winning four matches and drawing two to revive the team’s fortunes and guide them into the African play-offs before they lost on penalties to DR Congo.

Amid the contract standoff, Chelle is overseeing a rebuilding process with the Super Eagles and revisited Nigeria’s World Cup disappointment last Saturday after guiding the team to the Unity Cup title in London.

“I try to do my job and I want to say thank you for all the support. If I have some time, I will give everything for this national team. Every day I try to improve like a man and like a coach too,” Chelle said after Nigeria beat Jamaica 3-0 in the final on Saturday.

“I want to say sorry again because we didn’t go to the World Cup and that we didn’t win the AFCON.”

The 48-year-old is currently with the team in Warsaw, where they will take on Poland in an international friendly on Wednesday.

After that, they will fly to Portugal for their final game of the current international window.

Chelle recently confirmed that financial discussions are ongoing over his contract with the NFF but insisted that his attention remains on coaching duties and upcoming assignments.

He is reportedly demanding a monthly salary of $130,000 among other working conditions, while sources within the NFF told our correspondent that the federation was willing to offer $100,000 per month.