The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has officially appointed Éric Sékou Chelle as the new Head Coach of the Super Eagles, Nigeria’s senior men’s national football team. This decision comes after the NFF Executive Committee endorsed the recommendation from the NFF Technical and Development Sub-Committee, which met in Abuja on January 2, 2025.
Éric Sékou Chelle previously coached Mali’s senior men’s national team. His coaching journey also includes leading clubs such as GS Consolat, FC Martigues, Boulogne, and MC Oran. Under his leadership, Mali came very close to reaching the semi-finals at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, losing to the eventual champions, Cote d’Ivoire, in an intense extra-time battle.
The 47-year-old and former professional footballer has had a notable career with clubs like Martigues, Valenciennes, and Lens in France.
Éric’s appointment is with immediate effect, and he has the responsibility of guiding the Super Eagles to earn a ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals, with the next round of matches taking place in March.
<img src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/a-photoshoot-featuring-montreal-roses-fc-s-new-jerseys.jpg?id=58373207&width=1245&height=700&coordinates=0%2C0%2C0%2C0"/><br/><br/><p>Montreal's new pro women's soccer team, the Montreal Roses, just unveiled their first-ever primary and secondary jerseys — and they might be the best-looking sports uniforms the city has seen in a long time. </p><p>The Northern Super League (NSL) club unveiled their full uniform look on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/rosesmtlfc" target="_blank">Instagram</a> on Thursday. </p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DHa4MBOOmfo/?img_index=1" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DHa4MBOOmfo/?img_index=1" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">See on Instagram</a>
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</blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p>Reception from fans has already been overwhelmingly positive.</p><p>"Love this kit and the design!!! So beautifully done," one Instagram user wrote.</p><p>"Finally jerseys with personality!!" another added.</p><p>The excitement extended to the Roses' own players, who were seen jumping for joy as they laid eyes on the bold designs for the first time in a clip shared by the team.</p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DHa9efbRKLy/" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DHa9efbRKLy/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">See on Instagram</a>
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</blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p><br/></p><p>Both iterations of the Roses uniform were brought to life by Creative Director Jennifer Nagy Delli Fraine and Montreal artist Niti Marcelle Mueth. </p><p>The primary jersey is a bold fusion of vibrant blue and deep red, featuring hand-drawn patterns and a rose motif symbolizing resilience and growth. Meanwhile, the secondary jersey offers a clean, vintage-inspired white-on-white embossed look with interlaced sleeve stripes. According to a <a href="https://en.rosesmtl.ca/news/the-montr%C3%A9al-roses-unveil-their-primary-and-secondary-jersey-a-bold-fusion-of-creativity-community-and-boldness" target="_blank">press release</a>, the braid "represents the team's commitment to weaving strong connections on the field, among teammates, and within the community."</p><p>The names of the following sponsors are also featured on the uniforms: Intact Insurance; Programme Moi (the rewards program of Metro), Jean Coutu, Super C, Brunet, Première Moisson, Sico, and Canadian Tire. </p><p>Montreal's uniform launch comes ahead of the debut of the Northern Super League, a brand-new professional women's soccer league where the Roses will compete, along with five other clubs across Canada.</p><p>With the first month of training camp now in the rearview mirror and matches set to get going in a few weeks, the league's other teams were also treated to uniform reveals on Thursday.</p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DHbfNpMO6OV/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DHbfNpMO6OV/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">See on Instagram</a>
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</blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p><br/></p><p>The Roses' primary jersey is already available for purchase on the <a href="https://club.rosesmtl.ca/en/shop" target="_blank">online club store</a>. The secondary jersey is available for pre-order at <a href="http://rosesmtl.ca" target="_blank">rosesmtl.ca</a> and the CL.IP Store at LaSalle College.</p><p>Montreal will play its inaugural match against Ottawa Rapid FC at Centre Sportif Bois-De-Boulogne in Laval on Saturday, May 3. The game will be broadcast on CBC Gem and RDS.</p>
(@thenff) January 7, 2025
