Former Super Eagles captain and coach Sunday Oliseh has voiced strong opposition to the continued hiring of foreign managers for Nigeria’s national team, insisting that capable indigenous coaches are being unjustly overlooked.
In an interview on Channels Sports on Sunday, Oliseh argued that Nigeria has qualified local coaches who deserve the chance to lead the Super Eagles.
“I am totally against having that role not being handed over to a Nigerian because we have qualified Nigerians who can do that job,” Oliseh said.
His remarks come amid the tenure of French-born former Mali international Éric Chelle, who was appointed by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in January 2025, replacing interim coach Augustine Eguavoen.
Chelle has made an encouraging start, remaining unbeaten in his first five games with three wins and two draws — including a 1-1 result against Russia in June. Despite this, Oliseh questioned the long-term reliance on expatriate coaches, warning it could stifle local development and reflect a lack of trust in Nigerian expertise.
A former defensive midfielder known for his tactical intelligence, Oliseh played for elite European clubs such as Ajax, Borussia Dortmund, and Juventus. He coached the Super Eagles between 2015 and 2016, losing just two of 14 matches before stepping down due to contract disputes and unpaid wages.
Oliseh didn’t limit his criticism to coaching. He also took aim at what he described as a worrying trend in the national team — captains not starting games.
“This is an anomaly. You can’t have your captain sitting on the bench. That means it’s really the assistant leading the team,” he said. “The Super Eagles’ captaincy is the most important leadership role in Nigerian football.”
Speaking on the team’s tactical structure, Oliseh highlighted the critical nature of the defensive midfield role — a position he once held — and stressed the importance of discipline and instruction.
“When you talk of the defensive midfield role, I was the one who brought in Wilfred Ndidi. I also brought in Alex Iwobi and Kelechi Iheanacho, and gave them their first call-ups,” he noted.
“Ndidi has the quality to play that role. But it requires discipline and clear tactical instructions. That’s why having a real tactician is essential. As a defensive midfielder, you’re the umbrella for the defenders.”
Oliseh’s comments come ahead of a pivotal stretch for the Super Eagles, who face Rwanda and South Africa in crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in three months’ time.
Nigeria are currently fourth in Group C with seven points from four games — six points behind leaders South Africa. With matches still to come against Rwanda, South Africa, Lesotho, and Benin Republic, both Chelle and the NFF are under mounting pressure to deliver World Cup qualification — something Nigeria has not achieved since 2018.
