Former Super Eagles coach Sunday Oliseh has pointed fingers at fans for the national team’s continued decline.
Oliseh said the national conversation around football has shifted dangerously, with fans and institutions too quick to praise underachievement.
He stressed that Nigeria’s football problems didn’t start recently, but have been ongoing for years largely unchecked by meaningful public scrutiny until the rise of social media.
“We should hold ourselves accountable. We are responsible the Nigerian people,” Oliseh said. “Our football didn’t just start falling today.
“It has been going downhill for a long time. What is saving grace today is social media people are finally becoming aware. Back when they started killing our football, all we had was mainstream media, which was often used to attack legends.”
Reflecting on his playing days, Oliseh recalled how losing a final as captain left him devastated, especially after pushing to play while unwell.
He criticized the culture of celebrating second-place finishes, suggesting that such recognition weakens the national ambition.
“You see players being honoured after coming second. What are we doing? You’re compensating someone for not winning, and we all accept it,” he added.
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“When you start accepting mediocrity, don’t be surprised by the results. If a child scores 51 out of 100 and you correct him, next time he’ll try for 60 or 70. That’s how you build a winning culture.”
Oliseh also shared his views on the Super Eagles’ current manager, Eric Chelle, praising his work so far in the World Cup qualifiers.
He said Chelle, despite criticism, has outperformed other African coaches in terms of points earned and deserves recognition.
“Eric Chelle has done relatively well. He’s won three games and, if not for a last minute equaliser, it could have been four. He’s been the most consistent among the coaches,” Oliseh noted.
He reaffirmed his belief that Nigerian coaches should be given more opportunities, stressing that African managers rarely get chances in European football and should therefore be supported locally.
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