Former Super Eagles captain and coach Sunday Oliseh has made headlines with his criticism of current Nigeria boss Eric Chelle.
Oliseh, speaking to Supersport, declared himself “not a fan” of the Malian’s appointment, saying, “Nigerians are not allowed to coach outside their shores. The only job that is the most prized one, leave it for the people to handle; that's my opinion.
“I feel it is a sign of disrespect to the coaches and people of Nigeria. The coaches, players, ex-players have suffered enough and paid the price, so let them do their job.”
While it is definitely a strong view, here are 3 reasons why it is a misguided one still.
Nigerian coaches have coached elsewhere in Africa
It is fair to point out that, outside of Nigeria, jobs for Nigerian coaches are limited. However, Stephen Keshi achieved one of the greatest feats of coaching in 2005, qualifying Togo for the 2006 World Cup, while Amuneke led Tanzania to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for the first time in 39 years in 2019.
The likes of Kashimawo Laloko and Christian Chukwu have all coached other African national teams.
Outside of Africa, opportunities are thin on the ground, but that is not restricted to Nigeria. It is an African struggle, and if anything Nigeria is even fortunate enough to have an indigene – Ndubuisi Egbo – win a league title in Europe. Not many can say the same.
Coach Ndubuisi Egbo wins the coach of the year award at the ballers awards 2020 for his wonderful exploits with KF Tirana.
— Naijafootballers (@9ja_footballers) February 27, 2021
Congratulations coach. #BallersAwards #BallersAwards2020 pic.twitter.com/OUR4cXhCKp
Eric Chelle has taken on the sort of challenge Oliseh ran from
It is worth remembering that Oliseh was, at one time, branded the ‘Pep Guardiola of Nigeria’ by former NFF president Amaju Pinnick following his appointment as coach of the senior national team in 2016.
The legendary former captain came in on a wave of goodwill, but almost immediately went about reminding everyone why critics of his appointment had been wary. He picked fights with everyone over everything, alleged he was the victim of a witchcraft plot, and left the role after a fortunate draw with Tanzania left the Super Eagles needing perfection home and away against Egypt to qualify for the 2017 AFCON.
Faced with a difficult situation, he ran. Eric Chelle, who took the job despite Nigeria’s similarly precarious position in World Cup qualifying, has demonstrated far greater courage.
Oliseh is picking the wrong fight
Who exactly are these “coaches” and “ex players” Oliseh claims have “suffered enough”?
Over the last 20 years, Nigeria has handed the reins of the senior national team to Stephen Keshi (RIP), Shaibu Amodu (RIP) Samson Siasia, Oliseh himself, Austin Eguavoen, Finidi George and (in a joint capacity) Emmanuel Amuneke. Aside from Keshi and Amodu, it has been a tale of underperformance, but that is beside the point. Who else is there?
The coaching pool in Nigeria is a small one, and that is down to a number of factors, chief of which is the failure of the NFF to give priority to coaching education. Unless Oliseh is arguing that the Super Eagles should be entrusted to just anyone on the basis of their Nigerian citizenship, the painful truth is that realistic, credible options are thin on the ground beyond rewarding failure and recycling the same old names.
