Sunday Oliseh Challenges Recruitment Process, Denies Submitting Application

Sunday Oliseh, a former Super Eagles captain and coach, has refuted claims of applying for the available coaching position in the national team and raised concerns about the application procedure, as reported by NewsNow.

The Nigeria Football Federation, on March 8, announced the vacancy for the role of the Eagles’ head coach after the departure of Portuguese manager Jose Peseiro, who guided the team to a second-place finish in the recent Africa Cup of Nations held in February.

In an official announcement on their website, the federation invited applications with a deadline of March 13, specifying that the potential Eagles coach “must possess proven experience at the top tier of football.”

Reports suggest that over 50 coaches have been shortlisted for the vacant Eagles position by the NFF.

“I did not formally submit my application for the Eagles coaching role, the claims suggesting otherwise are incorrect,” Oliseh informed NewsNow.

 “I simply expressed my willingness to assist Nigeria as a coach if the conditions align. While I am open to contributing to Nigeria’s football, I did not go through the application process for the job.”

Oliseh, who took over from the late Stephen Keshi as Eagles coach in 2015, criticized the method of application for the available Eagles position.

“Consider this scenario, when Jurgen Klopp recently announced his departure as Liverpool’s coach, did Liverpool publicize a call for applications for the job anywhere?

“Currently, they (Liverpool) are focused on selecting a coach who fits their football philosophy and style.

“If we (Nigeria) cannot provide opportunities for our local coaches to contribute to the country’s football, then who will?”

He endorsed his former national teammates Emmanuel Amuneke and George Finidi as potential successors to Peseiro. Both coaches are viewed as the top candidates for the vacant position.

 “It is widely known that I advocate for a homegrown coach to lead the Eagles, those two (Amuneke and Finidi) are well-suited for the role,” remarked Oliseh.

 “Any true football enthusiast will understand that the Eagles do not require a foreign coach, but the local coach must possess exceptional qualities.

 “I am against appointing a foreign coach for our national team. Ivory Coast and Senegal’s previous Africa Cup of Nations victories were achieved with local coaches.”

Oliseh, who assumed the Eagles’ coaching position in July 2015, managed the team in 14 international matches, losing only two.

During his seven-month tenure as Eagles coach, a notable issue was his rift with Vincent Enyeama, ultimately leading to the goalkeeper’s international retirement.

Oliseh resigned from his role in February 2016, citing “contract breaches, inadequate support, outstanding wages, benefits for my players, assistant coaches, and myself” as reasons for his departure.