In the hunt for Nigeria’s next senior national team coach following Jose Peseiro’s departure, several candidates have emerged, with interest pouring in since the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) announced the vacancy. According to reports from OwnGoalNigeria.com, the NFF aims to finalize the selection before the upcoming friendly matches against Ghana and Mali.
The Super Eagles are set to face Ghana on March 22nd and Mali on March 26th, both matches taking place in Marrakech. Despite the NFF unveiling a list of players for these games, uncertainty looms over the coaching staff, although Austine Eguavoen, the technical director, is a front-runner. However, it’s likely a new coach will be appointed before the matches.
One notable contender for the position is former team captain Sunday Oliseh, who previously coached the team from July 2015 to February 2016. Speaking on Channels Sports with journalist Ken Ochonogor, Oliseh expressed openness to returning to the role under the right conditions, emphasizing his willingness to assist Nigeria if needed.
However, Oliseh faces significant hurdles due to his tumultuous previous stint, characterized by conflicts with senior players and public disagreements with the NFF before his resignation. Recently, former team member John Obi Mikel shed light on the challenges of working with Oliseh, describing him as “bitter” and “jealous,” lacking respect and managerial competence.
Mikel’s candid remarks highlight the complexities surrounding Oliseh’s potential return, with his past controversies casting shadows over his candidacy. As Nigeria seeks a new coach to lead the Super Eagles, the decision-makers must weigh Oliseh’s ambition against his turbulent history to ensure the team’s stability and success in future endeavors.