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Sunday Oliseh isn't mincing words. While refusing to critique the man himself, he says giving Nigeria’s most prized football job to a foreigner is a slap in the face to local coaches and to the nation.
Sunday Oliseh has openly expressed his disappointment over the appointment of a foreign coach as the new head of Nigeria’s Super Eagles, describing it as a sign of disrespect to local coaches and the nation.
Speaking in a video posted on X and aired on Super Sport, the former Super Eagles coach and captain refrained from criticising the coach personally but was clear about his stance on the decision.
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“That’s one topic I refuse to comment on, my brother. It’s no secret I am not a fan of that,” Oliseh said.
Chelle was appointed as the head coach of Nigeria’s senior men’s national football team, the Super Eagles, earlier this year, by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) as a permanent replacement for Finidi George, who resigned after a short spell.
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On Super Eagles coach
Born in Ivory Coast to a French father and Malian mother, Chelle holds Malian citizenship and earned five caps for Mali during his playing career as a centre-back in France.
Chelle became the first non-Nigerian African to manage the Super Eagles, a decision that sparked mixed reactions across Nigerian football circles.
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Before taking over Nigeria, he had brief stints managing clubs such as MC Oran in Algeria, but for Oliseh, the Super Eagles shouldn’t be for the foreigner.
What Oliseh said
“I showed that Africans are not allowed to coach abroad, Nigerians are not allowed to coach outside Nigeria, and the only job that’s the most prized one, leave it for the people to do, that’s my opinion about it,” he statedf further.
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“I am not a big fan of it, I feel it is a sign of disrespect to the coaches and people of Nigeria. So, I’m not really going to comment on how good the coach is or not. I don’t know the guy, he looks like a nice guy but I feel my country has suffered enough.”
Despite Oliseh’s criticism, the new coach has made a promising start with the Super Eagles.
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In five matches under his guidance, Nigeria has remained unbeaten with two wins and three draws, including a closely contested World Cup qualifier against Zimbabwe in Uyo.
Oliseh’s comments, nevertheless, reignites a broader debate within Nigerian football circles about the preference for foreign coaches over homegrown talent for the country’s most prestigious football job.
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His remarks stresses the frustration felt by many local coaches who feel overlooked despite their qualifications and dedication to Nigerian football.
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