Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, has reportedly submitted 19 key conditions to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) as negotiations continue over a new contract.

BONA Naija gathered that the Malian tactician is pushing for a revised deal worth $130,000 monthly, a figure that reportedly covers his entire technical crew and personal assistant — contrary to earlier reports suggesting he was demanding $100,000 for himself alone.

Chelle currently earns about $50,000 per month under his existing agreement with the NFF.

Welfare & Logistics Demands

According to reports, Chelle’s proposed conditions include:

• A private SUV with chauffeur and security
• Accommodation in a well-secured residence with 24-hour uninterrupted electricity
• A furnished office equipped with a projector for tactical analysis
• Dedicated internet provision
• Flight tickets for his wife and two children (business class for Chelle and his wife, economy for the children)
• GPS provision
• Supply of proper equipment in line with his technical requirements

Technical Autonomy & Structural Requests

Beyond welfare, Chelle is believed to be seeking operational control and improved football structure, including:

• Full authority to choose international friendly matches based on opponents
• Well-structured camping programmes
• The right to initiate youth development projects
• Provision to travel abroad to monitor and engage Nigerian players
• Provision to watch Nigeria’s local league to identify talents for the Super Eagles, U23, U20 and U17 teams
• No interference in team selection and player call-ups
• Formal working contracts for his technical staff
• Guaranteed salary payment on or before the 30th of every month
• Bonuses and allowances in line with federation structure
• Inclusion of his personal assistant in the bonus framework
• Monthly meetings with all national team coaches

Marseille Link Adds Twist

The development comes amid reports linking Chelle with French giants Olympique de Marseille, following a recent change of agents a move that has intensified speculation around his future.

Big Decision for NFF

If accepted, Chelle’s proposed package would represent a significant financial commitment by the NFF. However, several of the demands especially regarding technical independence, scouting structure and timely salary payments reflect standard practices in elite football management.

As discussions continue, Nigerian football stakeholders will be watching closely to see whether both parties can strike a deal that balances ambition with financial reality.

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Ademola Lookman and Raphael Onyedika were on the scoresheet for Atletico Madrid and Club Brugge in their exhilarating 3-3 draw in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League (UCL) knockout round playoff tie.

Both Super Eagles of Nigeria players shone under the bright UCL lights, with Onyedika also providing the assist that ensured the hosts equalised in the final minutes at the Jan Breydel stadium on Wednesday night.

Atletico took the lead from the penalty spot through Julian Alvarez following a handball, before Lookman continued his fine form in Madrid with a goal from point blank range after a corner kick knockdown found its way to the attacker in the first half added time. The goal was his third for Atletico in four starts, as the visitors took a two-goal lead into the halftime break.

An impressive Brugge side roared back with two goals in eight minutes early in the second half, led by Onyedika. The midfielder was on hand to prod the ball into the net on the rebound in the 52nd minute to hand the hosts a lifeline before Nicolo Tresoldi scored from a similar distance on the hour to complete the turnaround. Atletco thought they had done enough for the win following a Joel Ordonez own goal 11 minutes from time, but Onyedika supplied the pass for Christian Tzolis to slot an angled drive beyond Jan Oblak to ensure both sides have all to play for in the return leg set for next week Tuesday at the Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid.

In other matches, Inter Milan fell to a shock 3-1 defeat at the hands of Bodo/Glimt, the UCL surprise team of the season, while Newcastle put Qarabag to the sword with a 6-1 win at their backyard, with Anthony Gordon scoring five of those goals. Bruno Onyemaechi, Super Eagles fullback, was, however, on the losing side for Olympiacos in their 2-0 loss at home to Bayer Leverkusen.

RESULTS
Club Brugge 3-3 Atletico Madrid
Bodo/Glimt 3-1 Inter Milan
Qarabag 1-6 Newcastle United
Olympiacos 0-2 Bayer Leverkusen

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Na serious embarrassment for Atletico Madrid on Sunday night as Rayo Vallecano run riot with a commanding 3-0 victory, leaving Diego Simeone’s side a massive 15 points behind league leaders Real Madrid.

The match was played at Butarque Stadium, home of CD Leganés, after Rayo’s Vallecas pitch was unavailable but the venue change did nothing to slow down the home side’s fire.

Rayo Strike First

Rayo drew first blood in the 40th minute when Fran Perez coolly slotted home from Andrei Ratiu’s cross. Atletico’s defence looked shaky, and the warning signs were clear.

Super Eagles star Ademola Lookman tried to spark something upfront, but Rayo’s high press and tight marking gave him little breathing space.

Defensive Horror Show

Things went from bad to worse after the break. A costly error from Clement Lenglet gifted Oscar Valentin the chance to double the lead and he made no mistake.

Atletico pushed forward in desperation, but it only created more gaps at the back. Nobel Mendy punished them in the 76th minute, sealing a shocking 3-0 humiliation.

Title Race Almost Gone?

This defeat means Atletico have now gone three La Liga games without a win. Meanwhile, Real Madrid continue to stretch their lead at the top.

The loss is even more painful considering Atletico recently crushed Barcelona 4-0 in the Copa del Rey.

Goalkeeper Jan Oblak didn’t hide his frustration after the game:

“It seems like the league has slipped away. We can’t lose games like this. Today they were much better, and we deserved to lose.”

For Rayo Vallecano, this is a statement victory. For Atletico? Serious questions need answers.

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Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen was at his brilliant best on Friday night, providing two assists as Galatasaray demolished Eyüpspor 5-1 in their Turkish Super Lig clash.

Playing at the RAMS Park, Osimhen delivered a top-class performance to help the league leaders stretch their advantage at the summit to six points.

The Nigerian star wasted no time making impact. Just two minutes into the game, Osimhen floated in a perfect cross for Yunus Akgün, who headed home to give Gala an early lead.

Mauro Icardi doubled the advantage in the 33rd minute, reacting quickest to a rebound inside the box. Eyüpspor’s hopes suffered a major blow five minutes later when Bedirhan Özyurt was shown a red card.

After the break, Osimhen turned provider again. The 26-year-old won possession inside the box and selflessly squared the ball to Icardi for his second goal of the night. The Argentine later completed his hat-trick in the 70th minute to make it 4-0.

Eyüpspor managed a consolation goal through Metehan Altunbaş in the 71st minute, but a late own goal sealed an emphatic 5-1 victory for Galatasaray, extending their unbeaten run to 10 league matches.

The win moves Galatasaray to 55 points, six clear of second-placed Fenerbahçe, who face Trabzonspor this weekend.

Atletico Madrid Monitoring Osimhen

Meanwhile, Spanish giants Atlético Madrid are reportedly keeping close tabs on Osimhen ahead of the summer transfer window.

The La Liga side could lose either Julián Álvarez or Alexander Sørloth at the end of the season, and Osimhen has emerged as a prime replacement target.

Reports also suggest Barcelona are monitoring the Nigerian striker as a long-term successor to Robert Lewandowski, setting up a potential transfer battle among Spanish heavyweights.

However, Galatasaray insiders insist there are no offers on the table and that Osimhen remains committed to the club.

The former African Footballer of the Year has scored 15 goals in 21 appearances across all competitions this season and continues to prove why he remains one of Europe’s hottest striking properties.

Galatasaray will now shift focus to their UEFA Champions League playoff clash against Juventus on Tuesday.

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The House of Representatives Committee on Sports has significantly increased the proposed 2026 budget of the National Institute of Sports (NIS) from N2.8 billion to about N60 billion, in a dramatic move aimed at revitalising Nigeria’s sports development structure.

The decision was announced on Wednesday during the institute’s budget defence session at the National Assembly.

Why the Massive Increase?

Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Kabiru Ahmadu, said the upward review followed consultations with the leadership of the Budget Office of the Federation.

Ahmadu lamented what he described as the chronic underfunding of the institute, stressing that the NIS remains a critical pillar in Nigeria’s sports development ecosystem.

According to him, without adequate funding, the institute cannot effectively carry out its mandate of training athletes, coaches, and sports administrators.

He assured that the committee is committed to working with relevant authorities to ensure improved and sustainable funding for optimal performance.

NIS DG Raises Concerns

Director-General of the National Institute of Sports, Philip Shuaibu, while presenting the agency’s budget proposal, appealed for increased allocation to reposition the institute.

Shuaibu disclosed that the capital estimate for 2025 was not released, a situation he said hampered key developmental projects.

He linked Nigeria’s recent struggles in international sporting competitions to the non-functionality of the institute, arguing that the country cannot consistently produce world-class athletes without a fully operational sports development centre.

Brain Drain in Nigerian Sports

The DG warned that the weakening of the institute has left a vacuum in athlete development, leading to a situation where Nigerians born abroad increasingly represent the country at global sporting events.

He revealed that his administration has begun efforts to reposition the Athletes Development Centre, describing its condition as an “eyesore” when he assumed office.

Shuaibu maintained that restoring the institute to full functionality would strengthen grassroots talent identification and athlete preparation nationwide.

What This Means for Nigerian Sports

If approved in the final 2026 appropriation, the N60 billion allocation would mark one of the most significant funding boosts in the history of Nigeria’s sports development framework.

Sports analysts believe that with proper implementation and accountability, the increased budget could:

• Revamp training facilities
• Upgrade coaching education
• Strengthen athlete development programmes
• Improve Nigeria’s global sporting competitiveness

However, stakeholders also note that effective management and transparency will be crucial to achieving meaningful results.

The dramatic jump from N2.8bn to N60bn signals a bold attempt by lawmakers to address long-standing structural weaknesses in Nigeria’s sports system.

But beyond the numbers, the real test will be whether the funding translates into medals, talent development, and a sustainable sports pipeline for the future.

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