Nigerians expose Oliseh, dig up his 2004 sacking after blaming Osimhen for AFCON 2025 failure

Super Eagles legend Sunday Oliseh has found himself at the receiving end of a massive social media backlash after he publicly accused Victor Osimhen of costing Nigeria the AFCON 2025 title. 

Oliseh, as reported by Pulse Sports Nigeria, claimed that Osimhen’s ‘toxicity’ and on-field outbursts, specifically a heated moment with Ademola Lookman, destroyed the team’s chemistry and cost them the title in Morocco.

However, Nigerian fans were quick to remind the former captain that when it comes to "destroying team chemistry," he literally wrote the book.

The retaliation was swift. Within hours of Oliseh’s video going viral, fans dug into the archives to unearth a dark chapter from March 2004, when Oliseh was famously sacked by German club VfL Bochum.

One fan sarcastically noted that Oliseh was merely “speaking from experience,” while another blunt reaction read: “When we talk about discipline, no be Oliseh go dey talk. Just dey look.”

The receipt being circulated is a 22-year-old report detailing how Oliseh’s loan from Borussia Dortmund was terminated after he headbutted teammate Vahid Hashemian, reportedly breaking the Iranian striker's nose in the dressing room following 0-0 draw against Hansa Rostock.

The irony wasn't lost on the Nigerian football community. While Oliseh criticised Osimhen for publicly diminishing his teammates, fans pointed out that Oliseh's own career was defined by clashes with authorities and colleagues.

Oliseh’s Take: He argued that Osimhen berating Lookman for not passing the ball made the winger a "shadow of himself" and cost Nigeria the psychological edge in the semi-finals.

The Fans' Counter: Supporters reminded Oliseh that he was omitted from the 2002 World Cup for "disciplinary reasons" and was sacked in Germany for physical assault. 

“You broke a teammate's nose and you're talking about spirit?” one viral post questioned.

In his scathing critique, Oliseh had warned: “We are confusing talent with license. Victor Osimhen is world class, but talent is not a license to destroy team chemistry.” 

While some agree that Osimhen’s temperament needs managing, the messenger has completely overshadowed the message. For many Nigerians, Oliseh, who also had a famously turbulent stint as Super Eagles coach, is the last person qualified to lecture anyone on discipline.

Despite the off-field drama, Nigeria walked away from AFCON 2025 with a bronze medal and three players in the CAF Best XI. 

Whether Osimhen, who was in action for Galatasaray in the Champions League, responds to the legend's "fire" remains to be seen, but the fans have made it clear: they are standing by their number nine