RismadarVoice Reporters
October 29, 2026
Former Super Eagles head coach Sunday Oliseh has revealed that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) advised him against inviting John Obi Mikel, Vincent Enyeama and Emmanuel Emenike to the national team when he assumed office in 2015.
Oliseh said federation officials considered the three senior players difficult to manage, but he decided to engage them personally rather than exclude them from the squad.
Speaking on The Play Zone Podcast, the former Nigerian international admitted that he later regretted disregarding the advice.
According to him, he travelled from Belgium to France to meet Enyeama, who was playing for Lille, to discuss his expectations and address concerns surrounding the national team.
Oliseh also recalled travelling to London at his own expense to meet Mikel and Victor Moses, who were playing in England at the time.
He claimed that although Moses attended the scheduled meeting, Mikel neither appeared nor responded to his messages.
The former coach described the incident as deeply disrespectful, insisting that players must recognise the authority of the national team manager regardless of their individual achievements.
Oliseh, however, praised Moses for attending the meeting and openly discussing concerns about the national team.
He also spoke positively about Emenike, saying his experience with the former striker contradicted the negative assessment he had initially received.
According to Oliseh, Emenike demonstrated professionalism and respect during their time together, while his contributions to Nigeria’s 2013 Africa Cup of Nations triumph remained significant.
The former midfielder’s account revisits tensions that surrounded his tenure as Super Eagles coach between 2015 and 2016.
Mikel had previously offered a different perspective on the relationship, alleging that Oliseh confronted senior players shortly after assuming office over concerns about their influence within the squad.
The competing accounts highlight longstanding disagreements over player management during that period.
In a separate assessment, Oliseh criticised the quality of Nigeria’s current national team, arguing that the country’s football struggles reflected a decline in the calibre of players available for selection.
He compared the present squad with earlier generations featuring players such as Finidi George, Rashidi Yekini, Emmanuel Amuneke, Victor Ikpeba and Taribo West.
Oliseh maintained that previous generations regularly competed for leading European clubs, giving the national team greater experience at the highest level.
He questioned whether enough current Super Eagles players were representing clubs capable of competing for major European trophies.
His comments have renewed discussion about player development, team management and the standards required to improve Nigeria’s international football performances.
