Oliseh arrives Nigeria to seal Super Eagles job

Former Super Eagles captain, Sunday Oliseh, has touched down in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, ahead of his scheduled unveiling by the Nigeria Football Federation on Wednesday. The former Dortmund and Junventus midfield maestro is set to be named as the replacement for the sacked manager Stephen Keshi whose contract was recently terminated by the NFF.

Reports suggest that Oliseh will be handed a five-year contract in which he would be expected to chart the way forward for Nigeria football. The incoming coach is also expected to get a monthly salary of N5m. NFF President Amaju Pinnick has expressed so much confidence in Oliseh turning around the fortunes of Nigeria football for good as he posits that the hitherto TV pundit has all that it takes including the passion to get the Super Eagles and indeed Nigeria football back on track.

“Sunday Oliseh has vast experience and immense knowledge of the game, and will certainly add value to what we are doing. He has bought into our vision and objectives towards the development of Nigeria football. He will command the respect of the players and we trust he has the temperament to work harmoniously with the Technical and Development Committee, the Technical Directorate and the Technical Study Group,” Mr. Pinnick said. Oliseh was in the Nigeria squad that won the Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia in 1994, and played in the 1994 and 1998 FIFA World Cup final competitions, with the Super Eagles reaching the Round of 16 in both. He was also in the Nigeria U-23 side that won Africa’s first Olympic football gold in Atlanta 19 years ago. Oliseh played for top clubs like Reggiana, FC Cologne, Ajax Amsterdam, Juventus, Borussia Dortmund, VFL Bochum and RC Genk in a magnificent professional career, during which he played under some of the best coaches in the universe.

He won 63 caps for Nigeria between 1993 and 2002, picking up Africa Cup of Nations gold, silver and bronze medals. The soon to be named Super Eagles coach holds a UEFA Pro License, and coached Belgian lower division club, Vervietois between 2008 and 2009.