Thirteen years after he captained Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations in Mali, Sunday Ogorchukwu Oliseh, has taken over the reins as the coach of the national team, Super Eagles.
The former defensive midfielder who was part of a ‘golden era’ of the 1990’s when Nigeria qualified for her maiden appearance at the 1994 World Cup in USA; won the 1994 AFCON in Tunisia as well as winning Africa’s first Olympic Gold Medal at Atlanta in 1996, was named as instant replacement for Stephen Keshi, who was sacked by the Nigeria Football Federation(NFF) two weeks ago.
The former defensive midfielder who was part of a ‘golden era’ of the 1990’s when Nigeria qualified for her maiden appearance at the 1994 World Cup in USA; won the 1994 AFCON in Tunisia as well as winning Africa’s first Olympic Gold Medal at Atlanta in 1996, was named as instant replacement for Stephen Keshi, who was sacked by the Nigeria Football Federation(NFF) two weeks ago.
Oliseh, a member of the FIFA Technical Committee, has been handed a three-year contract with the mandate amongst other things to qualify the Super Eagles for next year’s AFCON in Gabon.
To assist him on the job are Belgian Jean Francois Loscuito, Salisu Yusuf who worked with former coach, Keshi and goalkeepers’ trainer, Alloy Agu, member of the 1994 AFCON winning squad.
At the unveiling ceremony in Abuja on Wednesday, Oliseh who admitted he was not a ‘messiah’ reiterated his commitment to the job, seeking the cooperation of Nigerians in the onerous task of rebuilding the Super Eagles to the glory days of the 1990s.
"I am not a messiah of Nigerian football. I am home because I am a Nigerian and, I should come and contribute to the development of the game,” said the vastly-travelled 40-year-old Oliseh, who played for clubs in Belgium, Holland, Italy and Germany.
“I am not promising Nigerians anything, but to improve upon what we have on ground. The major problem is that no one can identify the real pattern that we play in Nigeria now. What we play is ball passing system, and it is not business as usual in the Super Eagles.
“We can no longer invite players that are not playing in the first divisions of the League but I have over 70 Nigerian players on my list, and they would be invited when the need arises," he noted.
NFF president, Amaju Pinnick, described Oliseh, a UEFA Pro License certificate holder, “as the best man for the job.
“Oliseh has all the necessary knowledge and exposure we are looking for to take the country's football to a great height. We will do everything humanly possible to make sure that Oliseh succeeds by giving him 100-per cent support” said Pinnick.
His first task will be an away clash with Tanzania in the Africa Cup of Nations Gabon 2017 in September in Dar es Salaam. The Super Eagles beat neighbours Chad 2-0 in the opening game last June.
To assist him on the job are Belgian Jean Francois Loscuito, Salisu Yusuf who worked with former coach, Keshi and goalkeepers’ trainer, Alloy Agu, member of the 1994 AFCON winning squad.
At the unveiling ceremony in Abuja on Wednesday, Oliseh who admitted he was not a ‘messiah’ reiterated his commitment to the job, seeking the cooperation of Nigerians in the onerous task of rebuilding the Super Eagles to the glory days of the 1990s.
"I am not a messiah of Nigerian football. I am home because I am a Nigerian and, I should come and contribute to the development of the game,” said the vastly-travelled 40-year-old Oliseh, who played for clubs in Belgium, Holland, Italy and Germany.
“I am not promising Nigerians anything, but to improve upon what we have on ground. The major problem is that no one can identify the real pattern that we play in Nigeria now. What we play is ball passing system, and it is not business as usual in the Super Eagles.
“We can no longer invite players that are not playing in the first divisions of the League but I have over 70 Nigerian players on my list, and they would be invited when the need arises," he noted.
NFF president, Amaju Pinnick, described Oliseh, a UEFA Pro License certificate holder, “as the best man for the job.
“Oliseh has all the necessary knowledge and exposure we are looking for to take the country's football to a great height. We will do everything humanly possible to make sure that Oliseh succeeds by giving him 100-per cent support” said Pinnick.
His first task will be an away clash with Tanzania in the Africa Cup of Nations Gabon 2017 in September in Dar es Salaam. The Super Eagles beat neighbours Chad 2-0 in the opening game last June.
By: Cafonline.com
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