AFCON 2025
Sunday Oliseh has shared his thoughts on the appointment of Eric Chelle as Nigeria’s head coach.
The former Super Eagles captain has voiced his frustration over the Nigeria Football Federation’s (NFF) decision to appoint a foreign coach, calling it a disrespectful move toward local coaches and the nation.
In a video shared on X and broadcast on Super Sport, the former Super Eagles captain and coach avoided critiquing the new coach personally but made his disapproval clear.
“That’s one topic I refuse to comment on, my brother. It’s no secret I am not a fan of that,” Oliseh said.
The NFF appointed Chelle as the permanent head coach of Nigeria’s senior men’s national team earlier this year, replacing Finidi George, who stepped down after a brief tenure.
“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,” Oliseh added.
“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 concerns, Chelle has started strongly, guiding the Super Eagles to an unbeaten run of two wins and three draws in five matches, including lifting the Unity Cup.
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