The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Sunday Oliseh

  • Oliseh celebrates Nigeria’s draw

    Oliseh celebrates Nigeria’s draw

    • Predicts pressure for England

    Former Super Eagles captain Sunday Oliseh has expressed satisfaction with the World Cup draw which pitted Nigeria against perenial challengers Argentina, Iran and Bosnia and Hezegovina.

    The former Juventus and Borussia Dortmund ace, who remained active on social media all through the exercise, described the draw as the best Nigeria has ever had, adding that he is optimistic about the chances of the Stephen Keshi-tutored side. Oliseh was particularly happy that Iran found their way into Nigeria’s group, and, without underrating the side, he reasoned that their inclusion only made the Super Eagles’ chances even better.

    “Nigeria’s chances just got better with the inclusion of Iran,with all due respect. This is about the best Group that Nigeria has ever had to deal with ever! I really am more than optimistic!,” he tweeted

    The 1994 Nations Cup and 1996 Olympic gold winner, however, expressed near pity for 1966 World Cup champions England after the Three Lions were pitched against Uruguay, Costa Rica, England and Italy.

    England, though, parading some of the best players in the round-leather-game, Oliseh reasoned, will be under intense pressure when the Mundial gets underway next year in Brazil.

    “Wow! Talk about England and pressure! What a complicated group they have to deal with mentally!,” he added.

    Former Nigeria international Victor Ikpeba however chose to be moderate in his expectations, submitting that Nigeria will finish behind Argentina in Group F.

    “Argentina are favourites to pick the top spot in Group F, but Nigeria can hold their own as second best,” he said.

  • More experience, more expectations

    More experience, more expectations

    The Nigeria squad at the time lacked the experience of the present team. Many of the players in Clemens Westerhof’s team were just embarking on their careers –

    like Jay Jay Okocho (20 at the time), Daniel Amokachi (21) Sunday Oliseh (19) and Victor Ikpeba (21). In fact, the only players who had reached their 30th birthday were the present coach Stephen Keshi and goalkeeper Peter Rufai.

    Despite their shock topping of a group ahead of Bulgaria and Argentina, many Nigerians still believe that had the team been just a little bit more experienced, they might have held on to their lead over eventual finalists Italy in the Round of 16 instead of succumbing to the Roberto Baggio-inspired Azzurri.

    It seems likely that Keshi will have a side with more guile in Brazil, with several of his players plying their trade for top-notch European clubs. Players such as John Obi Mikel, Victor Moses and Victor Obinna will bring a wealth of experience playing at the highest level with them. The flip side of this is that, unlike the 1994 squad, Keshi and his team will arrive in Brazil with the burden of huge expectations back home.

    Even Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan weighed in heavily, saying in a statement: “With the enormous pool of footballing talent available to the country, the Super Eagles can, with more hardwork, dedication, resilience and further honing of their skills and tactics, fulfill the national dream of being the first African Nation to win the World Cup.”

  • Oliseh warns: Eagles must not lose first leg

    Oliseh warns: Eagles must not lose first leg

     •Says no more in-fighting, experiments

    Former Super Eagles captain, Sunday Oliseh has warned that Stephen Keshi’s lads must not lose the first leg tie against Ethiopia’s Walaia in the final rounds of the 2014 FIFA World Cup playoffs next month.

    Oliseh, who was a member of the Eagles squad to USA ‘94 and France 1998 World Cups, said the Eagles must move on from their 2013 AFCON feat in South Africa if they must book a space to next year’s mundial in Brazil.

    “Nigeria has to forget the encounter with Ethiopia at the recently concluded AFCON in South Africa. Judgment on their strength based on this is completely deceptive!

    “Nigeria has to take them “Red Light” serious! This is the moment where no stone needs to be left unturned. Scouting in detail of the Ethiopian team is paramount; tactics here will be a deciding factor and the early preparation of travelling logistics will be key.

    “Player for player Nigeria has a better team than Ethiopia. However, where the Ethiopians have an advantage is that collectively they operate better as a team!

    “It is paramount that Nigeria does not lose the first leg, which is in Ethiopia. The return leg in now Calabar or anywhere in Nigeria will be better negotiable to pave the way to Brazil 2014.

    “Complacency, in fighting or any form of experiment should be put on hold now at least till Nigeria qualifies for the World Cup ,” he posted on sundayoliseh.tv

    Reacting further, Oliseh recalled that he was praying Nigeria should avoid the East Africans alongside the trio of Ivory Coast, Ghana and Cameroon, even as he reeled out the Ethiopians power of euphoria and fan base.

    “Prior to the draws in Cairo, there were nations I dreaded Nigeria playing against, not because we cannot beat them, but because of the delicacies that these nations carry along with them for the Super Eagles. These nations were Ivory Coast (revenge factor) Ghana & Cameroon (past history factor) and last but not least Ethiopia!

    “To get to this stage Ethiopia eliminated South Africa quite comfortably and did not lose a game on the pitch, the only game they lost was at the board room due to fielding of an ineligible player.

    “With a population of 91 million, the Ethiopians carry a huge fan base and at the moment are basking in the euphoria that started way back in January at the AFCON and one asks when and where will this end. “They believe they are destined to greater things now, e.g. their very first World Cup participation; this could be a deadly tool against their opponents.

    “Recently, Ethiopian football got a major sponsorship deal of over $ 1.3 million with Heineken.MTN also has come on board to sponsor them not to talk of the huge private financial aid they have from the world’s 43rd richest person, Mohammed Hussein Ali Al Amoudi of Ethiopia,” the former Ajax and FC Cologne ace said.

  • I don’t want Eagles job – Oliseh

    I don’t want Eagles job – Oliseh

    Former Super Eagles captain, Sunday Oliseh, has rubbished insinuations in some quarters that he is desperate to succeed Stephen Keshi as the Super Eagles coach.

    Futaa.com reports that Olisheh and Keshi have been locked in war of words in recent times but the former Juventus midfielder claims the last thing on his mind is the Super Eagles coaching job.

    “I can understand that Keshi feels threatened by the possibility of a sack and back stabbing, but my comments should not be seen as coming from a possible successor unless one is desperate, which I thank God I am not, “ futaa.com quoted Oliseh as saying on his personal site sundayoliseh.tv

    He continued, “His job is the last thing that I or my family need. I know the custom lately amongst some of the coaching crew in our dear country has been attacking the incumbent to take his place, but I believe I have proven over and over again that my consultancy company and my life that I have spent 23 years to build in Europe which I cherish dearly is more precious to me than the day to day stress that comes with being the Super Eagles coach.

    “I wonder how I would continue to run my six- year old consultancy business that has now gone global, coach my youth team, fulfill my new but cherished introduction into FIFA with the Super Eagles coaching job that is about 6,000 kilometres away from my family.

    “I have said this several times, although I love my country, but it is not in my wildest dreams to manage the Super Eagles otherwise I would have accepted the NFF Technical director job and eventually the Super Eagles.

    “If he can accept our support and praise, he should accept our constructive criticism in the interest of the country and making enemies left and right is not the way to go. Obviously some of us do not learn from the past. The interest of Nigeria comes first than that of Sunday Oliseh or Stephen Keshi.”