Oliseh lambasts ‘insane’ critics, apologises to NFF over outburst

Nigerian head coach, Sunday Oliseh, has no time for those criticising the performance of the national team.
He has released a two-part video venting his frustrations at critics after the team’s early exit from the African Nations Championships (CHAN).
The Super Eagles crashed out of the tournament – which is reserved for players who play in their own national leagues – in the group stage, following a shock 1-0 defeat to Guinea in January.
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) won the tournament by defeating Mali 3-0 in Sunday’s final.
Oliseh, who apologised to Nigerians after the Guinea defeat, posted his video response on YouTube at the weekend.
The former Nigerian international didn’t mince his words when addressing critics who had called for him to lose his job, following the poor showing at CHAN.
“You must be insane to start seeking the plebiscite on the future of the national team’s coach of Nigeria because we lost CHAN,” said Oliseh, describing CHAN as “the least important tournament” held by African football’s governing body, the Confederation African Football (CAF).
Nigeria is currently 63rd in FIFA’s world rankings, their worst position since 2012.
Oliseh, who made 28 appearances as a player for Nigeria at FIFA tournaments and won a gold medal at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, took over the role of head coach in July 2015.
The team has lost two of his 11 games in charge.
Meanwhile, Oliseh, on Monday, sent a letter of apology to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) after his recent attacks on the federation as well as his perceived critics.
A close source to the Eagles coach disclosed: “Oliseh has just sent a letter apologising for his utterances and actions.
“He said he is sorry, that he never wanted to attack the NFF or embarrass them, but rather he wanted the whole world to know they have not been given money.
“He also said he has been very frustrated after the heavy attack on him and his team after their exit from the CHAN.”
Oliseh’s seven months in charge of the Eagles have been marked by controversies.
He fell out with former captain Vincent Enyeama and top striker Emmanuel Emenike who both quit international football during that time.
He has also gone public with the money problems affecting his team at CHAN to the embarrassment of his employers.