Former Super Eagles skipper Sunday Oliseh has made a passionate call for the Nigeria Football Federation to entrust the role of the national team head coach to Nigerians rather than foreigners, Footynaija.com reports.
Oliseh has been one of the most vocal ex-internationals when it comes to the affairs of the Super Eagles. The former Juventus and Ajax Amsterdam star has become even more vociferous since the NFF’s appointment of Eric Chelle.
Chelle, who impressed during his stint as head coach of Mali, was brought onboard by the NFF to revive Nigeria’s World Cup qualification campaign.
However, with two wins and five draws and one defeat from eight qualifying games, the Super Eagles need a complete miracle to reach the Mundial next year.
Oliseh has made no secret about his disapproval of the appointment of the Franco-Malian tactician as Super Eagles coach following the sacking of another former Nigeria international Finidi George.
With Nigeria’s chances of qualifying for the World Cup now out of the hands of the Super Eagles, Oliseh has sent a cryptic but strong message to the governing body of Nigerian football.
“I am a fanatical fan of the Nigerian brand and I am in total disagreement with foreigners running our football,” the 1994 AFCON winner said as per quotes from This Day Live.
“Any Nigerian who thinks otherwise should give up his passport. The moment we believe that another race is better than ourselves in managing our football then something is wrong.
“If we are going to keep Eric Chelle as Super Eagles coach, the next step is for the government to bring foreigners as our football administrators. Maybe that will make them realise that we are killing the game in Nigeria.”
For any who may still be in confusion about the message Oliseh is trying to pass across, here is a simple interpretation; “Sack Eric Chelle now, and appoint a Nigerian as head coach of the Super Eagles.”
Oliseh had a respectable stint in charge of the national team, overseeing 14 games and recording ten wins, two draws and two losses.
He resigned from the position barely 8 months into his stay as manager due to contract violations, lack of support, unpaid wages and benefits to his players, assistant coaches and himself.
