Sunday Oliseh was unveiled as the new Super Eagles coach at an elaborate ceremony in Abuja, July last year, replacing Stephen Keshi.
An elated Nigeria Football Federation boss, Amaju Pinnick, who finally got his man, described Oliseh as the “Pep Guardiola of Africa”.
Fast forward seven months and Oliseh is walking on thin ice; locked in a battle of power and wits with his employers.
The former skipper has been on a war path with both the NFF and critics after his team’s disastrous exit at the African Nations Championship (CHAN).
From his recent outburst on YouTube to CHAN excuses, we highlight 10 unforgettable barbs by the 41-year-old in just one month.
- Blame game after CHAN
It was not a question of the tactics we chose for the game. What did not go right is the fact that I think somewhere inside it was difficult for the players to overcome some moral difficulties they have come across – Oliseh, when asked about his team’s tactics in the 1-0 loss to Guinea at the CHAN tourney, a result which meant elimination.
- The all sufficient provider
I spent $4,000 to feed the team because the food in camp was not good enough. I used my personal funds to get the team going for the interest of the nation – Oliseh explained how the NFF abandoned his team in Rwanda.
- More excuses
With all due respect, CHAN is the least of important tournament in the calendar of CAF and it is a tournament that measures the strengths of leagues against one another – Oliseh talks down the importance of CHAN
- And even more excuses
I personally have nothing to do with the (NFF) Technical Committee. The agreement from the beginning I had with the NFF signed and sealed is that I report to the General Secretary and not to the Technical Committee (of the NFF). The General Secretary (Sanusi Muhammed) has been briefed that we did not do well because we were broke – Oliseh wondered why he had to report to the Technical Committee when his contract stipulates the Generla Secretary.
- Sack Rumours
The contract is made out. We signed a contract, me and the NFF. If they aren’t happy with the performance, it is okay, we go over it and we shake hands – On reported sack rumours and his under-performing team.
- The unwanted job
I didn’t beg for this job, I didn’t even want this job. I refused it twice and it took the intervention of a highly respected friend of mine, who was in government, for me to concede and take this job – An angry Oliseh reminds critics how desperate the NFF were to land him.
- Homeless at home
I have nowhere to lodge should I come to Nigeria. I do not intend to stay in a hotel when the Super Eagles are not in camp – Explaining why he flies directly to Belgium and skips training in Nigeria.
- Scolding for NFF
Please remember that by virtue of our wages being unpaid, you have breached our signed contract and that is CAPITAL. In going forward, I think it will help us achieve our goals better if the players’ bonuses and allowances are paid on time as evidently as we saw in Rwanda, was the reason why our players were morally low and failed in advance. That is my technical appraisal of the situation – Oliseh hits out at his employers for owing him backlog of salary.
- Choice of Kaduna
AWAY on a home soil – On why Nigeria’s African Cup of Nations qualifier against Egypt should be hosted in Kaduna rather than Port Hacourt.
- Insane critics
“You must be insane to ask questions on the future of the Super Eagles because we lost CHAN. The usual critics have brought out their fangs again. I’m addressing this constant insanity, this is madness that has befallen some of our critics – Oliseh lashes out at critics knocking his lads’ showing in Rwanda.
- Shots at the media
No matter what these critics say, as long as I am coach of the Super Eagles, I won’t pay anybody to write positively about me in the media as some of these critics have asked me to. Some of them come to me from the back and say I should invite their players and we will do business – An unapologetic Oliseh hits out at the media for demanding money in exchange for publicity.
