The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has announced the appointment of Éric Sékou Chelle as the new head coach of the Super Eagles, Nigeria’s senior men’s national football team.

Chelle becomes the third coach to lead the team since José Peseiro’s resignation in March 2024.

The announcement, made on Tuesday, follows the endorsement of Chelle by the NFF’s Technical and Development Sub-Committee and its Executive Committee. NFF President Ibrahim Gusau confirmed that the Malian coach’s tenure would commence immediately.

Chelle will debut as head coach with the home-based Super Eagles at the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), scheduled to take place in Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda from February 1 to 28. Gusau emphasized the importance of the CHAN tournament as a platform for discovering local talent for the senior national team.

“We want whoever takes charge to start immediately and utilize the CHAN Eagles as an opportunity to identify players who can contribute to the senior team,” Gusau said.

The Super Eagles B team, under the temporary management of coaches Daniel Ogunmodede, Fidelis Ilechukwu, and goalkeeper trainer Olatunji Baruwa, has been preparing for the tournament at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne.

Chelle, a former Mali international with five caps, brings a wealth of coaching experience, having led clubs like GS Consolat, FC Martigues, Boulogne, and MC Oran. As Mali’s national team coach since 2022, he narrowly missed a semi-final spot at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, where his team lost 2-1 to hosts Ivory Coast in extra time.

Beyond CHAN, Chelle faces the crucial task of reviving the Super Eagles’ World Cup qualification campaign. Nigeria currently sits in fifth place in their qualifying group, with the next round of matches set for March.

This appointment marks a new chapter for the Super Eagles, with fans hopeful that Chelle’s leadership will bring success both at CHAN and on the road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has announced that it is closely monitoring the global rise in Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases, particularly in China, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany.

The announcement comes as countries report increasing hospital admissions linked to HMPV, especially among children and older adults.

NCDC Director-General, Dr. Jide Idris, disclosed in a public health advisory on Monday night that while Nigeria’s surveillance system has not recorded an unusual increase in respiratory infections, proactive measures are being implemented to strengthen the country’s preparedness.

Dr. Idris revealed that the NCDC, in collaboration with Port Health Authorities, is working to enhance readiness at all international points of entry. An Entry Implementation Protocol on HMPV, approved by the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, is being developed and will guide response activities at ports of entry.

He emphasized that quarantine facilities are being prepared to manage suspected or confirmed cases if necessary. Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) materials, including face masks, gloves, and hygiene supplies, are also being deployed to ensure adherence to safety protocols.

The National Influenza Sentinel Surveillance (NISS) system, which monitors Influenza-like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI), has been expanded to include testing for HMPV. Laboratories in states with international airports are being equipped to conduct HMPV testing, ensuring early detection and appropriate care for patients.

Addressing rumors, Dr. Idris clarified that the World Health Organization (WHO) has not declared HMPV a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). He urged the public to disregard false claims and remain informed through verified sources.

Recent reports indicate a surge in HMPV cases in several countries, with the United Kingdom witnessing significant hospitalizations, particularly among children under five and elderly residents in care homes. This trend has prompted health authorities worldwide to enhance preparedness measures.

Dr. Idris stressed the importance of vigilance and collaboration with state governments to activate treatment centers and stockpile essential medical supplies. He added, “Supportive care and a high index of suspicion are crucial in managing potential cases effectively.”

The NCDC assured Nigerians of its commitment to safeguarding public health, urging citizens to adhere to hygiene practices and report any respiratory illness symptoms promptly.

A powerful earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale struck Dingri County in Tibet’s Xizang Autonomous Region on Tuesday morning, leaving at least 53 people dead, 62 injured, and more than 1,000 homes damaged, according to Chinese state media.

The tremor, which occurred near the border with Nepal at 9:05 am local time, caused widespread destruction, collapsing buildings and scattering debris across towns. The China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC) confirmed the quake’s magnitude at 6.8, while the US Geological Survey reported it as 7.1.

Videos shared by Chinese state broadcaster CCTV showed destroyed homes, rubble-strewn streets, and surveillance footage of residents running for safety as shelves in stores shook violently. Rescue workers were seen distributing thick blankets to locals as temperatures in the region plunged to minus 8 degrees Celsius, expected to drop further to minus 18 by nightfall.

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Chinese President Xi Jinping called for “full-scale search and rescue efforts” to minimize casualties and ensure the safety and warmth of affected residents during the winter. Disaster relief supplies, including cotton tents, quilts, and cold-weather gear, were dispatched to the high-altitude region, which is home to approximately 62,000 people and located on the Chinese side of Mount Everest.

The earthquake’s impact extended beyond China, with tremors felt in Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, and parts of India. In Nepal’s Namche region near Everest, residents reported strong shaking, though no casualties or major damage had been recorded as of Tuesday afternoon, according to Nepal’s Home Ministry.

Earthquakes are a common occurrence in the Himalayan region due to tectonic activity along the Indian and Eurasian plates. However, Tuesday’s quake is the most powerful recorded within a 200-kilometre radius in the past five years, according to the CENC.

The devastating tremor is reminiscent of past seismic events in the region. In December 2023, an earthquake in northwest China’s Gansu province claimed 148 lives, while subzero temperatures complicated relief efforts. Similarly, Nepal suffered significant losses in 2015 when a 7.8-magnitude earthquake killed nearly 9,000 people and injured more than 22,000.

As rescue teams in Tibet work to assess the full extent of the damage, authorities have warned of the challenges posed by the harsh winter and remote terrain. Local officials are reaching out to impacted townships to provide aid and assistance as the region braces for a difficult recovery.