Oliseh Slams Bench Captains, Urges Local Leadership over Foreign Coaches for Super Eagles

Sunday Oliseh has sharply criticised the recent trend of captains starting matches on the bench, branding it “an anomaly” that undermines leadership on the pitch. The former Super Eagles skipper, speaking on Channels Sports on Sunday, warned that a captain sidelined at kickoff sends the wrong message about who truly leads the team.

Oliseh emphasised that a captain must lead by presence and example: “You can’t have your captain sitting on the bench… In other words, you are saying it is an assistant that is leading the team.” His comments are in response to Ahmed Musa being named captain for the Unity Cup, only to be substituted onto the field late in the match—62nd minute—with no starting presence .

Beyond captaincy woes, Oliseh delivered stinging criticism over the hiring of foreign coaches. He lamented the appointment of Éric Chelle—a French-born, Malian-national coach—arguing that qualified Nigerians continue to be sidelined.

“I am totally against that role not being handed over to a Nigerian,” he declared. Oliseh portrayed Chelle’s appointment as a national slight: “Africans are not allowed to coach abroad, and Nigerians are not allowed to coach outside their shores… The most prized position should be ours”.

Despite Oliseh’s objections, Marino Éric Chelle remains unbeaten since taking charge in January, guiding the Super Eagles to the Unity Cup win and securing two wins and three draws, including a hold against Russia in June. Former striker Julius Aghahowa praised Chelle for his squad management and use of local talent during the tournament.

Oliseh’s remarks reignite longstanding debates on leadership roles within the Super Eagles—whether through symbolic gestures like starting captains, or structural decisions like coaching hires. With World Cup qualifiers looming, he challenges the NFF to reconsider its priorities: emotional leadership on the pitch and empowering homegrown coaching talent.

As reaction pours in from fans and former players, the issue stands: will the Super Eagles heed Oliseh’s call for authentic leadership, or continue down a path where talent and authority are outsourced?