Coach Sunday Oliseh's 18 Foreign Pros that got People Talking

The likes of John Obi Mikel, Victor Moses and Odion Jude Ighalo have been exempted from the 18-man foreign professionals invited by Super Eagles’ Head Coach Sunday Oliseh for next month’s 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Tanzania in Dar es Salaam.

Skipper Vincent Enyeama tops the list that has defenders Godfrey Oboabona, Leon Balogun and Kenneth Omeruo, midfielders Rabiu Ibrahim, Lukman Haruna and Joel Obi, and forwards Ahmed Musa, Emmanuel Emenike and Anthony Ujah.

There are a number of surprises, in line with Oliseh’s earlier pledge to make current form and first –level football key indices for selection to the Super Eagles.

There are goalkeeper Carl Ikeme, midfielder Izunna Ernest Uzochukwu and forwards Emem Eduok, Sylvester Igboun and Moses Simon.

All the 18 players, who will join up with the 23 home boys who arrived camp in Abuja on Monday, are expected in Abuja on Monday, 31st August, 2015 at the latest.

The Super Eagles take on Tanzania in Dar es Salaam on Saturday, September 5.

THE FULL LIST

Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Lille OSC, France); Carl Ikeme (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England)

Defenders: Leon Balogun (FSV Mainz 05, Germany); Kingsley Madu (AS Trencin, Slovakia); Godfrey Oboabona (Caykur Rizespor, Turkey); William Troost Ekong (FK Haugesund, Norway); Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa SK, Turkey)

Midfielders: Joel Obi (Torina FC, Italy); Izunna Ernest Uzochukwu (FC Amkar Perm, Russia); Obiora Nwankwo (Coimbra FC, Portugal); Lukman Haruna (Anzhi Machatsjkala, Russia); Rabiu Ibrahim (AS Trencin, Slovakia)

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Emem Eduok (Esperance ST, Tunisia); Emmanuel Emenike (Al Ain, UAE); Anthony Ujah (Werder Bremen, Germany); Sylvester Igboun (FC UFA, Russia); Moses Simon (KAA Gent, Belgium)

Eagles won't take Djibouti and Swaziland for grant, says Oliseh

Google Image: Sunday Oliseh

Super Eagles Coach, Sunday Oliseh has expressed satisfaction with  2018 FIFA World Cup preliminary draw held in St.Petersburg, Russia on Saturday.

Drawn bye from the first round of the African qualifiers, Nigeria begins her campaign for a place at the 2018 finals in Russia in November 2015, away to the winner of the Djibouti vs Swaziland first round playoff.

Speaking with the the federations website (thenff.com), Oliseh gave a number of reasons why he is happy with the draw 

"Of course,I am happy with the draw,"Oliseh stated.

"We are not playing the first round, which is a preliminary round and which we knew before the draw. We will also be playing the first leg of the second round away which means we have an advantage of playing the more crucial return leg at home, in front of our fans".

The coach also warned against complacency, revealing that there are a lot of dangerous teams around that could hurt if taken for granted.

"Djibouti and Swaziland need to be given the respect that they deserve and either of them that we face in the second round will not be underrated. We respect every team and we will battle anyone that emerges with our full strength.

"With the draw now concluded,we can safely say that the race to Russia has officially started. I am optimistic we will run this race very well. We will give it our very best and pray it will be good enough to get us one of the five slots available for Africa," Oliseh concluded.

New Eagles Coach Sunday Oliseh's message to Nigerians and intending players at large

Former Super Eagles captain Sunday Ogorchukwu Oliseh has sent out a clear message to Nigerians upon assumption of office as head coach of the nation's senior team.

During his unveiling in Abuja, Oliseh mentioned that he has come with an intention of service and not to wage war against his employers or anyone.

"I have come to serve, and the NFF has promised to give me all the support I need to succeed, he said at the media presentation.

"They are the employers and I am the employee. That distinction has to be appreciated at all times.

''I have had meetings with members of the Technical and Development Committee, led by Chief Anyansi-Agwu, very knowledgeable people all. I have met members of the Executive Committeeand the General Secretary. I believe we will all work together excellently. It is a huge honour to be Head Coach of Nigeria.''

Regarding the issue of selecting players who will represent the country, the new man who replaced Stephen Keshi warned that players who ply their trades in lower leagues around the world have no place in his squad with exception to underaged players.

"If you are not playing  in first division in anywhere in the world and in Nigeria, you cannot play for the Super Eagles henceforth.''

''However players coming from the under-aged teams are the only exception to this rule."

Speaking further,  ''It’s a great honour to be a coach of this nation, - he said.

''First of all, I am not coming as a Messiah. I am not coming as a man who can single handedly turn Nigeria to Germany.

''I am coming in to do my best and give if possible 150% all the time.

''The state we are now in Nigeria I think we are all not happy with. Gone are the days we have individual players who can single handedly win a match for you. But we have the potentials and that is our belief and the players must know that it’s an honour to be invited to the national team.''

Bring Super Eagles matches to Lagos, Oliseh advises NFF

Ex-Super Eagles midfielder, Sunday Oliseh has advised that the nations senior national team will perform better playing inside the National Stadium Lagos.

Oliseh in an interview with Brila FM noted that the pressure from Lagos fans would suffice to spur the Eagles to giving their best in any match.

He further stated that it was more difficult during his days to represent the country that present time.

“It’s a lot easier now to play for Nigeria and I guess that is one of the reasons we are not doing so well now. In those days, you go to the National Stadium, Lagos in front 100, 000 fans. After 20 minutes, you have not scored, the fans go crazy and your family lives in Lagos; that is pressure. When you go to the Africa Cup of Nations or the World Cup and you know that second
is not enough; that is pressure. When you have to play and the future of your family is at stake; that is pressure.

“I’m overtly telling them that if we want to go back to the top; we need to bring the Super Eagles back to Lagos.

"If England have an important match to play, they play you at Wembley because that is where they have the greatest number of fans and that is where it becomes emotional for the players. The National Stadium is our own Wembley. I played for Nigeria for 10 years and we never lost at the National Stadium. That shows you how mythical it was to play there. The players need that kind of atmosphere to perform.”