National Teams
Sunday Oliseh demands equal treatment for Nigeria coaches with foreign managers
By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde
With Augustine Eguavoen currently in charge of Nigeria’s senior men’s national team on an interim basis, former national team coach Sunday Oliseh has urged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to extend the same treatment, benefits, and respect afforded to foreign coaches to their Nigerian counterparts.
Eguavoen, who is on his fourth stint as head coach of the Super Eagles—having previously managed the team in 2005-2007, 2010, and 2022—finds himself once again at the helm, alongside several members of Nigeria’s 1994 golden generation, including Oliseh himself.
In a candid conversation on SuperSport’s Monday Night Football Show, Oliseh expressed his frustration with the disparity in the treatment of Nigerian coaches compared to their foreign counterparts.
“I am not asking for anything so that I can say it as it is,” Oliseh said. “If you don’t take good care of your people, you are the most disgusting human being that exists. It’s like a man who has a child and refuses to give opportunities to the child.”
He further clarified that the issue at hand was not about a sense of entitlement or a “birthright” to the role, as some critics have suggested. “The word ‘birthright’ has never come from me. I don’t think it is respectful to my ex-colleagues to start saying that they are asking for birthrights,” Oliseh added.
Oliseh, who was in charge of the Super Eagles from 2015 to 2016 before resigning, also pointed out that other members of Nigeria’s golden generation have previously managed the national team, including Samson Siasia, Stephen Keshi, and recently, Finidi George.
Despite their significant contributions to Nigerian football, Oliseh believes Nigerian coaches are not given the same level of support as their foreign counterparts.
“What the 1994 set is asking for is simple,” he said. “If appointed, we want the same facilities, respect, and resources given to foreign coaches. We want a level playing field.”
Oliseh emphasized that Nigerian coaches should receive better compensation, including better pay and more media support.
He explained, “First, pay them well and give them the respect of the press. We are not kids. When the media and fans support the coach, the players will feel it and will listen to the coach. Whether he wins or loses, the coach has been given everything to succeed.”
Oliseh reflected on the successes of foreign coaches in Nigeria’s history, such as Clemens Westerhof and Bonfrere Jo, who were given the tools to succeed. Westerhof helped Nigeria dominate Africa and perform well on the global stage, while Bonfrere Jo guided the team to Olympic glory.
“Westerhof had all the opportunities and succeeded by dominating Africa and doing well globally. Bonfrere Jo had the same treatment, and we dominated as Olympic champions. We need to treat Nigerian coaches right and give them the same opportunities and respect you give to foreign coaches,” Oliseh concluded.
As the Super Eagles look to the future, Oliseh’s call highlights the need for equality and fair treatment for all coaches, regardless of their nationality, to ensure the continued growth and success of Nigerian football.
