Former Super Eagles captain Sunday Oliseh has reiterated his opposition to the appointment of foreign coaches for Nigeria's national football team, insisting that qualified indigenous coaches are being unfairly overlooked.
Speaking on Channels Sports on Sunday, the ex-Juventus and Borussia Dortmund midfielder expressed his strong views on the matter. "I am totally against having that role not being handed over to a Nigerian because we have qualified Nigerians who can do that job," Oliseh stated.
Chelle's Impressive Start
Oliseh's comments come at a time when the Super Eagles are being led by French-born former Mali international, Éric Chelle, who was appointed by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in January 2025 to replace interim coach Augustine Eguavoen.
Despite Oliseh's concerns, Chelle has made an impressive start to his tenure with the three-time African champions. The 47-year-old coach remains unbeaten after five matches, recording three victories and two draws, including a recent 1-1 draw against Russia in June.
This debate highlights the ongoing tension between utilizing foreign expertise and developing local coaching talent in Nigerian football. While Chelle's early results have been promising, Oliseh's advocacy for indigenous coaches reflects a sentiment shared by many football stakeholders in the country.
The Super Eagles' upcoming fixtures will be closely watched as Chelle attempts to maintain his unbeaten record while building a team capable of competing at the highest international level.
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