Former Super Eagles captain, Mikel Obi, has opened up about the tumultuous time the team endured under the management of Sunday Oliseh. Speaking candidly, Mikel recalled the challenging atmosphere when Oliseh assumed coaching responsibilities, highlighting incidents that led to disruptions within the squad.
Mikel reminisced about Oliseh’s abrasive approach during his initial interaction with the players, particularly singling out encounters with Vincent Enyeama, the goalkeeper, and Elderson Echiejile. According to Mikel, Oliseh accused the team of having excessive player power, which escalated into a heated argument, resulting in Enyeama leaving the camp in frustration and never returning.
In Mikel’s assessment, Oliseh lacked the qualities of an effective manager and struggled to comprehend his coaching role. He criticized Oliseh’s coaching style, emphasizing that the players found it challenging to grasp his methods, leading to confusion within the team and adversely affecting their unity.
Furthermore, Mikel revealed Oliseh’s departure from the team was accompanied by unfounded allegations, claiming that mystical forces influenced his termination. Mikel characterized Oliseh as the worst manager he played under, citing bitterness, jealousy, and a lack of respect for others as contributing factors to the strained relationship between the coach and the players.
Mikel’s candid account sheds light on the internal challenges faced by the Super Eagles during Oliseh’s tenure and underscores the impact of managerial decisions on team dynamics.