This is not the first time the name Sunday Oliseh is mentioned when the Super Eagles Chief Coach post is vacant. One of such times was in 2011, the Aminu Maigari led NFF had talks with the former captain of the National Team before settling for Stephen Keshi.
Now, the engagement seems more like a done deal but what Oliseh will need badly is the experience of coaching a top flight team.
Despite possessing a UEFA pro License, Sunday Oliseh had only managed a Belgian side, Vervietois, between 2008 and 2009. Shuaibu Amodu who is the caretaker of the National team at the moment does not possess such qualification but has a good record in coaching the Super Eagles.
The strong midfielder will also need the maturity to stomach youthful misbehaviours which can be found in abundance in a team of footballers. One will recall that Oliseh was sacked by his former Borussia Dortmund after he punched team-mate Vahid Hashemian while on loan at VFL Bochum.
Except age has bestowed patience on Sunday Oliseh, he will need someone to take off the duty of dealing directly with the football federation on his behalf. He has proven to be a no-nonsense person and that may not help in managing his employers who come with diverse motives and background; particularly those who would want to throw around their boss status.
However, Sunday Oliseh has the clout and personality that will attract respect from the players. Having played the game at the highest level in Europe and having been in the National team as the captain, remember he was a strong member of the US ’94 world cup team, will be a record that up and coming players will respect.
Oliseh while sitting as a pundit for Super Sports, exhibit an above average understanding of the game. He brings depth and technicality to his analysis which one may assume is an asset he will be transferring to the pitch.
If Oliseh is finally confirmed as the Chief Coach of the Super Eagles, all eyes will be on him to prove that the NFF made a mistake in not hiring him in 2011 and the first test will be to qualify the Super Eagles for the fourth coming Africa Nations Cup
