Former Super Eagles captain and coach Sunday Oliseh has expressed deep sadness over the social media criticism following his debut as a color commentator during Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations opener against Tanzania.
Fans on social media labeled his performance as overly critical and “depressing,” with some accusing him of professional bias against star striker Victor Osimhen.
In a public statement, Oliseh defended his analysis, stating that his role requires professional objectivity rather than unwavering bias for the national team.
Okay News reports that the 1994 AFCON winner addressed the contradictory nature of the online attacks, noting that he was recently accused of being too supportive of the coaching staff. He emphasized that constructive honesty is a tool for improvement and does not reflect a lack of loyalty to the country he served for nearly 40 years. Despite the viral memes and negative feedback regarding his “bland” delivery, Oliseh maintained that his heart remains with the players and head coach Eric Chelle.
Oliseh, who earned 55 caps for Nigeria and led the team to Olympic gold in 1996, called on supporters to move past the controversy and unite behind the Super Eagles in their Morocco campaign. He reiterated that his desire to see the nation succeed is what drives his honest critiques of their performance on the pitch. The legendary midfielder concluded by asking fans to focus their energy on supporting the squad as they progress through the tournament.
