Tag: Sunday Oliseh

Former Super Eagles captain and head coach, Sunday Oliseh, has broken his silence following mixed reactions on his ‘colour commentary’  during Nigeria’s 2–1 victory over Tanzania, a match in which the Super Eagles opened their AFCON campaign on a positive note.

 While Nigeria secured all three points, Oliseh’s post-match commentary quickly became a major talking point across social media platforms.

 While many praised Oliseh for  his no-holds-barred assessment of the Super Eagles’ performance, others accused the former skipper of being overly critical with some suggesting his analysis portrayed a lack of support for the team despite the win.

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Reacting to the backlash, Oliseh released an official statement expressing disappointment over the narrative being pushed online. He stressed that his comments were rooted in professionalism and a deep-seated commitment to the progress of Nigerian football, not hostility towards the team or coaching crew led by Eric Chelle. According to Oliseh, objective analysis should never be mistaken for disloyalty.

“For nearly 40 years, I have dedicated my life and career to the progress of Nigerian football,” Oliseh stated, adding that while his role as an analyst demands honesty and balance, his emotional attachment to the Super Eagles remains unchanged. He described constructive criticism as “a tool for improvement borne out of a desire to see our nation succeed.”

The former Borussia Dortmund midfielder also noted the irony in the criticism, revealing that he had previously been accused of being “too supportive” of the coaching staff. He explained that the contrasting accusations highlight a misunderstanding of his role, reaffirming that his loyalty to the green and white is unwavering and needs no validation.

Oliseh concluded by urging fans to shift focus away from personal debates and rally behind the players as the tournament progresses. As discussions continue to trend online, his message served as a reminder of the fine line between passion-driven fandom and the value of honest football discourse, especially as Nigeria pushes for continental glory.

Former national team  captain Sunday Oliseh has given fresh  insights  on the shocking disbandment of the Super Eagles  ahead of the  Korea/Japan 2002 FIFA World Cup.

The decision which  led his  to  his omission along with  Finidi George, Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Victor Agali, Tijani Babangida and several other key players from the Mundial-bound team  despite pivotal roles in securing  team’s qualification.

Oliseh, who spoke in a recent interview on Bet9ja Home Turf, revealed that the players were expelled after a dispute with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) over the $1 million qualification grant from FIFA.

According to him, the team, alongside late coaches Shuaibu Amodu, Stephen Keshi, and Joe Erico, had worked tirelessly to ensure Nigeria’s qualification — overturning a five-point deficit behind Liberia to book the country’s place at the Mundial.

However, the midfielder disclosed that immediately after qualification was secured, the NFF reneged on a prior agreement regarding the sharing of the FIFA funds.

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 “FIFA gave Nigeria $1M for qualifying for the World Cup and we agreed with the NFF to share it 50-50, with $500,000 going to the players who qualified Nigeria for the World Cup and the NFF keeping the remaining half. But the next thing the NFF did was to disband the team and kept the money,” Oliseh revealed.

The former Juventus and Borussia Dortmund star said the sudden dissolution of the team — including the technical crew — was not only unfair but also demoralising for players who had sacrificed so much for the country.

Nigeria eventually went to the 2002 World Cup with an almost entirely new squad, led by a new technical team, but failed to make it past the group stage — a disappointing campaign many observers still traced back to the controversial disbandment.

By Victor Oguntade

Former Super Eagles captain and coach , Sunday Oliseh, has rapped  the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) regarding the country’s precarious situation towards qualification for the 2026 World Cup qualification, adding those in charge of the game should be ready to face the music  should the country miss out on two consecutive Mundial.

In their qualifying Group C section, South Africa lead the table with 13 points (prior to FIFA’s decision on their use of an ineligible player in the win over Lesotho in March this year)  and they are  jointly followed by  Rwanda  and Benin with eight points while with Nigeria in fourth on seven points. Lesotho have  six points, with Zimbabwe propping up the table on four points.

The Super Eagles must win their next four matches to have a realistic chance  of  qualifying for the Mundial.

“If Nigeria doesn’t qualify for the next World Cup (2026), and the people running football in Nigeria are still in their positions, then we don’t even deserve to qualify for the next one,” Oliseh stated in an interview.

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 He emphasized that failing to qualify for two consecutive World Cups would be a catastrophic blow to the country’s football industry, worth hundreds of billions.

Oliseh’s noted  that each missed World Cup, damages the country’s football progress.

“Every four years that you don’t qualify for the World Cup, your football goes back eight years. That’s how it works,” he cautioned.

While Oliseh still believes Nigeria can qualify, he stressed that failing to do so would be devastating for the country’s football. “Something drastic must be done,” he urged. “You cannot keep driving the same way towards Badagry and expect to find yourself in Sokoto. It can’t happen; you’re going in the opposite direction.”

The former Ajax and Juventus r midfielder pointed out that Nigeria’s poor performances in recent years have blocked lucrative transfer opportunities for the country’s players.

In the past, Nigerian stars like Kanu Nwankwo, Jay-Jay Okocha, and Taribo West shone brightly  with  top European clubs which is noticeably absent today.

As the Super Eagles prepare for their  forthcoming crucial World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and South Africa in few days’  time, Oliseh’s words serve as a rallying cry for change.

By Victor Oguntade

Former Super Eagles captain and coach, Sunday Oliseh,  has spoken candidly  why top European clubs including Chelsea, Manchester United overlooked  Victor Osimhen  this summer, adding  his  complex transfer saga with Napoli was influenced by various factors, primarily related to the player’s wage expectations, injury history, and off-field conduct.

During an interview on Global Football Insight, Oliseh emphasized the critical importance of transfer decisions for football teams, suggesting that missteps in team acquisitions can have significant repercussions for coaching staff.

“The transfer is like the backbone of every team,” he mused. “If you don’t get it right, the coach might have to leave before Christmas.”

Oliseh elaborated on the financial aspects surrounding Osimhen’s l transfer who recently moved to Galatasaray in the Turkish League, estimating that the total cost for securing his services was  around €187 million.

 “It’s not just about the player’s skill set; it’s about the package,” he clarified. “The club will ask themselves, ‘Will this player be worth it for us? Is it not too much of a risk compared to the other players we have?’”

He added that  primary barrier in negotiations stems from the tactics of Napoli’s president, Aurelio De Laurentiis.

Oliseh pointed out that De Laurentiis appears committed to maximizing Osimhen’s value before allowing any transfer, creating a challenging environment for potential buyers.

 “The president is really out to make sure that he milks out everything out of Osimhen,” Oliseh stated.

Another significant factor that affected Osimhen’s transfer saga was his injury record and behavior off the pitch.

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“Clubs want to be sure that they’re getting a player who will be available for 85 or 90 percent of the time,” he observed, indicating how these factors could deter clubs from pursuing Osimhen aggressively.

The tactical fit of Osimhen’s playing style also raises questions for top clubs. Oliseh noted that while Osimhen thrives as a lone striker, many elite teams face opponents who adopt a low-block strategy, often limiting the space he requires to excel.

 “Top clubs often play teams with low blocks, and there’s little space to play,” he explained, suggesting that clubs may be pursuing players who offer more versatility in various attacking roles.

While Osimhen has achieved impressive statistical results, the current football landscape appears to favour players with diverse skill sets, like Kai Havertz and Benjamin Sesko, who can adapt across multiple positions and provide tactical flexibility.

Looking ahead, Oliseh remains optimistic about Osimhen’s prospects, particularly if Nigeria qualifies for the forthcoming World Cup.

“If Nigeria qualifies and Osimhen plays well, clubs will forget about the issues surrounding him,” he said.“ This could potentially elevate his status and market value considerably.”

In the interim, Oliseh advised Osimhen to focus on refining his technical skills and adding more variance to his game.

“He needs to want to do it,” he declared. “If he does, he can still have a successful career.”

Moreover, Oliseh reflected on the decline of Nigerian players in top European clubs, linking it to the national team’s recent struggles. “People buy based on your national team,” he noted. “If you do great at the World Cup, top clubs will buy you.”

Former Super Eagles captain and coach, Sunday Oliseh, is grieving the loss of his brother, Uche Levi Oliseh, who passed away on Thursday following a brief illness caused by malaria fever.

In an emotional social media post, Oliseh expressed profound sorrow, describing the pain as unlike anything he has ever experienced.

 “Sadly, I lost my brother, Uche Levi Oliseh, on Thursday after a brief illness with malaria fever. It hurts so bad, like I have never felt before,” the former midfielder wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

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Oliseh, a key figure in Nigeria’s 1994 Africa Cup of Nations triumph and the 1996 Olympic gold medal-winning team, went on to reflect on the deep bond he shared with Uche, lamenting the many moments they would no longer share.

 “I have over a million things that I would wanna talk, laugh and do with Uche, but sadly I cannot anymore,” he added. “Damn, death is a real bitch.”

The Oliseh family is well known in Nigerian football circles, with several members involved in the sport. Uche Levi, though less prominent in the public eye, was considered an important part of the family’s strong kinship.

Tributes have started pouring in from fans, friends, and members of the football community, many of whom expressed their condolences and offered support to the Oliseh family during this difficult time.

The loss is a deeply personal one for Sunday Oliseh, who has not only contributed immensely to Nigerian football as a player and coach but remains a respected voice in the sport.

Funeral arrangements are yet to be announced.

Former Super Eagles’ captain and coach, Sunday Oliseh, believes Paris Saint-Germain’s  pair of French Ousmane Dembélé and Moroccan Achraf Hakimi, have both done more than enough to be considered  for available individual top awards for 2025.

With PSG, both Dembélé  and Hakimi have both played pivotal roles as the French capital city club won both the French Ligue 1  title and French Cup as well as their first Champions League title in emphatic fashion with a 5-0 thrashing of Inter Milan in Munich in May.

Oliseh reckoned Dembélé and Hakimi have already etched their names in gold with PSG  to be so considered for some available individual honours in 2025 prior to last night’s Club World Cup final against Chelsea. Until last night’s  CWC finale in New Jersey, Dembélé  had notched an astonishing 35 goals and 16 assists in 53 matches for PSG while Hakimi, though a defender, has scored 11 goals in 54 matches in all competitions.

“The question is who else than Dembélé?” Oliseh, AFCON winner  and Olympic soccer gold medallist, asked rhetorically when asked his likely candidate to win the prestigious Ballon d’Or.

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“ It’s gradually becoming so predictable and it’s  difficult to think somebody else (for the Ballon d’Or). Who else? It can’t be anybody else ?

“If it was last year, we could still make an argument for Yamal because of the Euros but this year, there’s  no Euros . So if it’s by merit, Dembélé  has already won this year’s  Ballon d’Or,” noted.

Speaking in the same vein, Oliseh said Hakimi can finally lay claim to the African Footballer of the Year after missing out severally in recent years.

“What else, Hakimi has already done well to be the next African Footballer of the Year ,” Oliseh further said as he praised the Moroccan for his virtuoso performances in the colours of PSG.

“ Did you see the opening  goal he scored  in the final of the Champions League (against Inter Milan?

“ We shouldn’t  forget that Hakimi is a right back and it was him that did the tap in to score (against Inter) and after, you’ll  find him defending again?

“C’mon, Hakimi has collected his thing,” he added.

By Johnny Edward

Former Super Eagles captain, Sunday Oliseh, has called for better pay and welfare for indigenous coaches for the senior national team, The Nation reports.

Our correspondent can report that the disparity in compensation between local and foreign coaches raises questions about investment in local talent and the overall strategy for Nigerian football development.

Oliseh shared his thoughts during his appearance on SuperSport’s Monday Night Football.

“Some might not like what I’m about to say, but when I was coaching the Super Eagles, my salary was N5m a month—equivalent to about $12,850 at that time,” Oliseh said.

“The late Stephen Keshi won the African Cup of Nations on the same pay. Yet, when we hire foreign coaches, we pay them $70,000 or $56,000, while our best indigenous coaches earn just $12,500. Then we wonder why they don’t perform?”

Oliseh also advocated for fairer treatment and recognition of home-grown coaches, pushing for a more sustainable and equitable future for the sport in Nigeria.

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He also firmly stated that the iconic 1994 generation of players are not seeking to coach the national team out of entitlement but believes they are more than qualified to restore the three-time African champions to their former glory. 

The 1994 Eagles, which included legends like Austin Eguavoen, Stephen Keshi, Samson Siasia, Oliseh himself, and Finidi George, have all previously held coaching roles for the senior national team.

Recently, there have been calls for the Nigeria Football Federation to consider options beyond the ’94 class for a long-term replacement for José Peseiro, who parted ways with the team after his contract expired in March.

Oliseh, who took over coaching duties from the late Stephen Keshi in 2015, voiced his support for Eguavoen, highlighting the urgent need for Nigeria to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

“We are at risk of missing out on the World Cup again, and we’re not addressing it seriously. Are we going to glorify mediocrity?” he questioned.

He went on to recount the significance of the 1994 generation.

“The greatest generation ever to play for Nigeria is the 1994 set. I was an integral part of it, not just as a player but as a leader contributing to our victories. It’s painful to think anyone would contest the strength and integrity of our generation. It’s an insult; we deserve to be celebrated.”