New Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle will be joined by three trusted assistants as he begins his reign with Nigeria, with all of them previously working alongside him at Algerian club MC Oran.
The appointments provide Chelle with a familiar backroom team as he prepares for the country’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.
French-Tunisian coach Hadi Taboubi has been appointed as first assistant after previously serving in the same role under Chelle at both Mali and MC Oran. Softfootball reports Thomas Gornourec will oversee fitness training, bringing a UEFA A Licence and a Master’s degree to Nigeria’s technical crew.
Jean Daniel Padovani has also been named goalkeeper trainer, adding further experience to the coaching staff. The Frenchman previously worked with the Comoros national team during the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations and is expected to play a key role in preparing Nigeria’s goalkeepers for upcoming international assignments.
The appointments ensure Chelle begins his tenure with a coaching staff he knows well. Their existing working relationship is expected to help the Super Eagles settle quickly ahead of important fixtures in the months ahead.
