“I Ignored NFF’s Warning Not To Call Up Mikel Obi, Enyeama, Emenike, But I Regretted It” – Sunday Oliseh

Former Super Eagles head coach Sunday Oliseh has revealed that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) warned him against inviting John Obi Mikel, Vincent Enyeama and Emmanuel Emenike to the national team, describing the trio as difficult to manage.

Oliseh, who admitted that he ignored the advice at the time, said he later regretted his decision after encountering challenges while trying to build relationships with some senior players during his time in charge of the Super Eagles.

Speaking on The Play Zone Podcast, the former Juventus midfielder recalled that the NFF raised concerns about the three players shortly after he was appointed national team coach.

According to Oliseh, the federation advised him to stop inviting them because of their alleged clashes with the football authorities.

“I regret not having listened to the NFF. When I took over the job, the first thing the NFF told me was to stop inviting three of them — Mikel, Enyeama and Emenike — because they were chaotic to the NFF,” he said.

Oliseh also recounted an incident involving Mikel Obi and Victor Moses when he travelled to London to meet the two players and discuss their involvement with the national team.

He explained that he personally funded the trip, contacted their clubs and arranged a meeting at a convenient location in central London. However, while Moses showed up, Mikel reportedly failed to attend and did not respond to his WhatsApp message.

Oliseh suggested that Mikel’s status as a Chelsea player at the time might have influenced his attitude towards the meeting.

“I did the same thing for Obi Mikel. With my own money, not the NFF money, I went to the UK. I sent messages to the clubs and to the players, not just Mikel but also Victor Moses. I gave them an appointment at a bar in the heart of London, together with my assistant coach, for the two of them to come and have a meeting,” he recalled.

“Now, of the two of them, who did not come to the meeting? Obi Mikel did not come. Victor Moses came. Obi Mikel did not even respond to the WhatsApp message.”

The former Super Eagles captain added that he was not intimidated by Mikel’s status at a major European club, stressing that every player must respect the position of the national team coach, regardless of their individual achievements.

“Maybe because he would say, ‘I play for this big club now.’ But that is why they sometimes say Sunday Oliseh is direct. Where did you play that I did not play? What did you play that I did not play?” he said.

Oliseh further emphasised that a coach deserves respect because of the responsibility attached to the position, regardless of how successful or prominent the players under his leadership may be.

He maintained that representing the national team requires discipline and mutual respect, insisting that no player’s club status should place him above the authority of the national team coach.

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