“My heart is with my fatherland” – USA U19 coach, Michael Nsien

By Monsurah Olatunji

Michael Nsien, the coach of the United States U20 national team and of Nigerian descent, has outlined his vision for rejuvenating the Super Eagles if appointed as the new head coach.

Nsien, among other notable candidates like Emmanuel Amunike and Sunday Oliseh, has applied for the Super Eagles coaching position following the departure of Jose Peseiro, as the Nigeria Football Federation opened applications for qualified candidates.

With a unique blend of Nigerian heritage and American coaching expertise, Nsien brings a fresh perspective to the task of restoring the Super Eagles’ dominance on the global stage.

Although he didn’t represent Nigeria during his playing career, Nsien’s passion for Nigerian football was ignited during the historic 1994 World Cup match against Bulgaria at the Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas.

Reflecting on that momentous occasion, Nsien vividly remembers Rashidi Yekini’s iconic celebration after scoring early in the match, as well as the brilliance of players like Jay-Jay Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu, and John Obi Mikel. Additionally, as a defender himself, he closely followed the careers of Joseph Yobo and Celestine Babayaro.

Nsien acknowledges the immense talent within the current Super Eagles squad and believes their true potential will be revealed through their future accomplishments.

While content with his coaching role in the United States, Nsien expresses his strong connection to his Nigerian roots and his desire to contribute to the national team’s success, especially with the upcoming World Cup in 2026 set to take place in the USA.

He sees himself as a candidate uniquely positioned to bridge both worlds and bring success to Nigeria’s footballing endeavors.