Former Super Eagles captain and ex-head coach, Sunday Oliseh, has voiced strong opposition to the continued hiring of foreign tacticians to manage Nigeria’s national football team, insisting that capable Nigerian coaches are being sidelined unfairly.
Oliseh, speaking on Channels Sports on Sunday, argued that Nigerians are not only qualified but also possess the necessary technical expertise to take charge of 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,” he stated.
His comments come at a time when Éric Chelle, a French-born former Mali international, is enjoying an unbeaten run in his first five games as head coach of Nigeria.
Chelle, appointed by the Nigeria Football Federation in January 2025 following the exit of interim boss Augustine Eguavoen, has recorded three wins and two draws, including a 1-1 result against Russia in June.
Despite the encouraging start, Oliseh remains skeptical about the long-term dependence on foreign managers.
He cautioned that such decisions hinder the growth of local expertise and reflect a broader issue of trust in homegrown talent.
Oliseh, who enjoyed a distinguished playing career with clubs like Ajax, Borussia Dortmund, and Juventus, was known for his commanding presence and tactical awareness as a defensive midfielder.
His tenure as Nigeria’s coach between 2015 and 2016 ended after just two defeats in 14 games. He later resigned, citing breach of contract and unpaid wages.
Beyond coaching issues, Oliseh raised concern over a growing trend he finds troubling, the appointment of team captains who are not regular starters.
“This I want to call an anomaly, and it started when we began having on-the-bench sitting captains,” he said.
“You can’t have that. You can’t have your captain sitting on the bench. In other words, you are saying it is an assistant that is leading the team. The Super Eagles’ role is the most important in Nigerian football.”
Reflecting on his time at the helm, Oliseh emphasized the strategic importance of the defensive midfield role, a position he once played with excellence.
“When you are talking of a defensive midfield role, I was the one who brought in the young man Wilfred Ndidi. It was at the same time I brought in Alex Iwobi and Kelechi Iheanacho, and I gave them their first call-up because they had the quality to do it,” he recalled.
He also highlighted the tactical requirements of the position and stressed that discipline and clarity are vital.
“Wilfred Ndidi has the quality to do it. But if you are going to play that role, you have to be disciplined. Secondly, you have to have clear-cut instructions that are laid out,” Oliseh said.
“That is why a tactician is very important. If you are going to play that role as a central defensive midfielder, for me, it’s one of the most important roles in football. You are the umbrella of the defenders.”
Oliseh’s observations come as Nigeria prepares for critical 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and South Africa.
The Super Eagles currently sit fourth in Group C with seven points, six behind group leaders South Africa.
With fixtures remaining against Rwanda, South Africa, Lesotho, and the Benin Republic, the Super Eagles face mounting pressure.
Chelle, 47, who began his tenure with a win and a draw in March, must now guide Nigeria through must-win matches if the team is to make a return to the global stage after missing out in 2022.
