The Oliseh must learn to appreciate, respect Super Eagles’ AFCON 2025 effort debate has continued to dominate Nigerian football discussions following comments from former international Sunday Oliseh.
The Director General of Nigeria’s National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, has strongly defended the Super Eagles after their bronze medal finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Olopade insisted that the Super Eagles deserved appreciation rather than criticism after defeating Egypt 4-2 on penalties in the AFCON 2025 third-place playoff encounter.
The NSC boss reacted to remarks by Oliseh, who questioned the legitimacy of celebrating a third-place finish at a major continental tournament.
Sunday Oliseh, a member of Nigeria’s victorious 1994 AFCON squad, argued that celebrating anything short of the title sends the wrong message to players.
Oliseh further alleged that Victor Osimhen’s “toxic” behaviour contributed to Nigeria’s failure to reach the AFCON 2025 final in Morocco.
According to Oliseh, a Round of 16 altercation between Osimhen and Ademola Lookman fractured team unity and negatively affected performance.
Responding in an interview with Footy Africa, Olopade dismissed the claims and stated that the Super Eagles handled internal issues professionally.
Olopade emphasised that the situation involving Osimhen and Lookman was addressed without disrupting the team’s focus or cohesion.
“I disagree with Oliseh on many of his comments, including his indictment of Osimhen and others,” Olopade stated firmly.
“Our superstars of yesterday deserve respect, but they must also take their place as mentors to the younger generation, not denigrate them,” he added.
The NSC Director General explained that he initially avoided responding to Oliseh’s comments out of respect for his achievements.
“Initially I did not want to get involved or respond to Oliseh,” Olopade said, clarifying his stance.
However, Olopade noted that misinformation surrounding the Super Eagles’ AFCON 2025 campaign made his intervention necessary.
He reiterated that the Victor Osimhen situation was resolved internally and did not derail Nigeria’s ambitions in Morocco.
“I strongly believe that the situation with Victor Osimhen was properly managed and addressed by the game,” Olopade said.
The sports administrator also highlighted Osimhen’s importance to Nigerian football beyond his performances on the pitch.
“In addition, Osimhen is the second biggest brand in Nigeria after the Super Eagles,” Olopade asserted.
“I know exactly what I am saying,” he added, underlining his professional expertise in sports branding.
Olopade offered a branding hierarchy that placed Nigerian football assets in a global context.
“If we are branding Nigeria, the Super Eagles are number one, Osimhen is number two, and the Super Falcons are number three,” he explained.
“This is my professional opinion as a branding expert,” Olopade concluded on the matter.
He further insisted that current Super Eagles players deserve the same respect previously accorded to football legends.
Olopade named Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Akor Adams, Calvin Bassey, Wilfred Ndidi, and William Troost-Ekong as national heroes.
According to him, these players carried Nigeria’s hopes with pride throughout the AFCON 2025 tournament.
He also acknowledged Sunday Oliseh’s legacy while calling for balance in criticism from former internationals.
“Oliseh’s history is written in stone, and nobody can take that away from him,” Olopade said.
“He is a hero,” Olopade continued, acknowledging Oliseh’s contributions to Nigerian football.
However, the NSC boss urged Oliseh to show empathy towards the current generation of players.
“But he must allow the youngsters to make mistakes and learn, just as he did,” Olopade remarked.
Olopade referenced historical events to reinforce his argument for patience and forgiveness.
“He should remember that Onigbinde did not forgive him before the World Cup,” Olopade recalled.
“Many of us supported him then,” he added, drawing parallels between past and present experiences.
Olopade noted that Oliseh himself was not immune to controversy during his playing career.
“He also made mistakes that caused disunity and discouraged players,” Olopade stated.
Despite those challenges, Oliseh was eventually embraced by Nigerians, according to Olopade.
“Yet he was forgiven by a grateful nation,” he said.Olopade concluded by reaffirming his support for the current Super Eagles squad.“Osimhen, Lookman, Akor, Bassey, Ekong—these are heroes of our country today,” he said.
“And we must recognise and respect them as such,” Olopade concluded.
Nigeria finished third at AFCON 2025 after a hard-fought campaign that showcased resilience and character.
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The Super Eagles’ bronze medal remains a significant achievement amid intense competition across the continent.
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