Oliseh Slams Super Eagles for Silence After NFF Criticism of Troost-Ekong, Dessers

Former Super Eagles coach Sunday Oliseh has condemned the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the current national team players for what he described as a lack of unity and leadership following Nigeria’s recent World Cup qualifying matches.

After a narrow 1-0 win over Rwanda in Uyo, the Super Eagles were held to a 1-1 draw by South Africa in a game many expected them to win. In its post-match report, the NFF singled out Cyriel Dessers, who struggled during the match, and captain William Troost-Ekong, who scored an unfortunate own goal, for criticism.

Oliseh, speaking on his YouTube channel, expressed outrage at the federation’s decision to publicly blame individual players and the failure of their teammates to defend them.

“Football is a team sport. From that alone you already know why this Super Eagles is not performing,” Oliseh said. “Your captain scored an own goal while trying to defend. It’s not like he picked up the ball and put it in the net, he was trying to help.”

He also defended Dessers, who had contributed to the team’s win just days earlier. “Dessers helped us win three days before, and now he’s being criticized. They’re shifting the blame away from management and putting it on the players.”

Oliseh’s most pointed criticism was aimed at the rest of the squad for remaining silent. “None of the Super Eagles players have said anything. It’s as if they deserved to be criticized because they’re not standing as a team. They’re not backing their leaders.”