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Former Super Eagles captain and coach, Sunday Oliseh, has voiced his strong disapproval of the ongoing hiring of foreign coaches for the Nigerian national team, asserting that skilled local coaches are being unfairly neglected.
Oliseh emphasized that Nigerians have the necessary expertise and qualifications to lead the Super Eagles and deserve the chance to do so.
“I am completely against not giving that role to a Nigerian because we have qualified individuals who can take on that responsibility,” Oliseh stated during an interview on Channels Sports.
His remarks come in light of the current tenure of Éric Chelle, a French-born former Mali international, who was appointed in January 2025 by the Nigeria Football Federation to succeed interim coach Augustine Eguavoen.
Chelle has maintained an unbeaten record in his initial five matches, achieving three victories and two draws, including a 1-1 tie with Russia in June.
Despite this encouraging start, Oliseh expressed concern over the ongoing reliance on expatriate coaches, cautioning that such choices hinder local development and reflect a lack of confidence in homegrown talent.
A former defensive midfielder recognized for his tactical acumen and physicality, Oliseh played for prestigious European clubs such as Ajax, Borussia Dortmund, and Juventus.
During his coaching stint with the Super Eagles between 2015 and 2016, he suffered only two losses in 14 matches before resigning due to contract breaches and unpaid dues.
In addition to coaching issues, Oliseh pointed out a troubling trend within the national team regarding captains who do not regularly participate in matches.
“This I consider an abnormality, and it began when we started having captains sitting on the bench,” he noted. “You can’t have that. A captain on the bench means that it’s an assistant leading the team. The role of the Super Eagles is paramount in Nigerian football.”
He further discussed the significance of tactical roles within the team, particularly the defensive midfield position that he once played with excellence.
“In terms of the defensive midfield role, I was the one who introduced the young talent Wilfred Ndidi. At the same time, I brought in Alex Iwobi and Kelechi Iheanacho, giving them their initial call-ups because they had the potential,” he shared.
Addressing the specific requirements of the holding midfield position, Oliseh emphasized the need for discipline and clear tactical instructions. “Wilfred Ndidi is capable of fulfilling that role.
However, if you are going to occupy it, you must be disciplined, and clear instructions must be provided,” he clarified.
“That’s why having a tactician is crucial. If you play as a central defensive midfielder, it is one of the most vital positions in football. You serve as the shield for the defenders.”
Oliseh’s comments arrive just three months prior to Nigeria’s matches against Rwanda and South Africa in vital 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
The Super Eagles, currently in fourth place in Group C with seven points from four matches, trail South Africa by six points and must win all remaining games to have a chance of qualifying.
Chelle, 47, kicked off his tenure with a win and a draw in March’s qualifiers.
Nevertheless, with upcoming matches against Rwanda, South Africa, Lesotho, and the Benin Republic, pressure is rising on both the coach and the NFF to achieve results and lead the country back to the World Cup for the first time since 2018.
