Sunday Oliseh has refuted recent reports. These claims suggested he criticised Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle. This was after Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Nigeria’s World Cup hopes ended in disappointment. They lost to DR Congo in a penalty shootout. The match had finished 1-1 before spot kicks. This outcome quickly sparked widespread speculation. Some reports suggested Oliseh had openly criticised Coach Chelle.
The former Nigeria captain has now refuted these rumours. He took to X to clarify his position. Oliseh stated his remarks were twisted. He insisted he never questioned Chelle’s competence.
Oliseh explained his true concern. It was not about the Malian coach’s ability. Instead, he questioned the decision to overlook a qualified Nigerian for the role. He also acknowledged Chelle’s work since taking charge.
“Correction please,” Oliseh wrote. “I didn’t criticise the coach. Watch the clip again.” He added, “I was unhappy he was appointed instead of a qualified Nigerian. But so far he (Chelle) has done relatively well. Let’s call a spade, a spade!”
The World Cup is no longer a focus. Attention now shifts to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco. Nigeria is in Group C. They will play Uganda, Tunisia, and Tanzania. This marks the start of their journey for another continental title.
Coach Chelle is expected to announce his provisional squad soon. This will happen in the coming days. Preparations for the AFCON tournament are gathering momentum.
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