Former Nigeria captain and coach Sunday Oliseh says he is “deeply saddened” by social media attacks questioning his loyalty to the Super Eagles after his debut as a colour commentator during Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations opener against Tanzania.
Oliseh faced widespread criticism online, with some viewers accusing him of being overly critical of Nigeria, insufficiently informed about Tanzania, and too bland or unrelatable on air. Others labelled his commentary “disastrous,” “depressing” and overly negative, while some fans alleged bias against star striker Victor Osimhen.
Memes claiming “Oliseh hates Osimhen” circulated widely after the match, alongside accusations that he over-praised Tanzania’s performance.
Responding on social media, Oliseh defended his approach as professional analysis rather than partisanship. “For nearly 40 years, I have dedicated my life and career to the progress of Nigerian football,” he wrote. “While my professional duty requires impartiality and objective critique, my heart remains firmly with the players and Coach Eric Chelle.”
The former midfielder, who won Olympic gold in 1996, the Africa Cup of Nations in 1994, and represented Nigeria at multiple AFCON tournaments and two FIFA World Cups, also highlighted what he described as contradictory criticism.
“Just recently, I was accused of being too supportive of the coaching staff. To now be accused of the opposite suggests a misunderstanding of my role as an analyst,” he wrote. “Constructive honesty is not a sign of dislike; it is a tool for improvement born out of a desire to see our nation succeed.”
Oliseh, who earned 55 caps for Nigeria and captained the national team before coaching the Super Eagles in 2015, said his commitment to the team remains unchanged and urged fans to unite behind the players competing in Morocco.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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