29th March, 2016
Taiwo Adelu
Soccer loving Nigerians could not hold their anger against former coach of the Super Eagles, Sunday Oliseh, after the country failed to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon in 2017.
The Eagles failed woefully in the double header qualifying matches against Egypt. They were held to a 1-1 draw in Kaduna on Friday, while 65th minute goal from Egypt’s Ramadan Sobhy gave the Pharaohs a 1-0 victory over the Nigerian team in the return fixture decided Tuesday night in Alexandria, Cairo.
The win in Alexandria signified the end of the road for the Nigerian team, who garnered two points far behind Group G leaders, Egypt who have 7 points.
Immediately the match ended, Oliseh’s name began to trend on the Twitter with many Nigerians pointing accusing fingers at him for not doing enough during his brief spell as the Eagles’ handler.
They claimed that Oliseh’s incompetence ruined Nigeria’s chances of qualifying the national team.
Tweeting @Terence_Nwachi, Terry Nwachi said that “Pinnick should be punched for calling Oliseh the Guardiola of Africa. What a useless coach.”
Lako @redjinobo said: “Pinnick and his board owe us an apology for appointing a wrong coach in Oliseh. I hope they have something to list as achievement at end of their tenure.”
David Titiloye @DavidTitiloye said that “The NFF is to be blamed for appointing an I.T student “Oliseh” when we had chartered and professional coaches to select from.”
“It is obvious Oliseh was a huge mistake by @thenff he shouldn’t have been hired in the first place gaskiya,” said @josites.
Bode Bruno @bodebruno82 recalled how Oliseh was praised after he drew against Tanzania, a team who he supposed to defeat. He tweeted: “I remember Oliseh was praised for picking up a point at Tanzania… Hmmm!”
Ekemode Olatunji @heymode slammed Oliseh for chicken out few weeks to the game against Egypt calling him a coward. “So @SundayOOliseh is also a coward. @Omaakatugba said that “Oliseh saw this defeat coming that is why he sharply picked race and run away”. @PoojaMedia noted that “It’s funny if you exonerate Oliseh from this. He drew at Tanzania, ran off two weeks to a crucial game and you want us to kiss his forehead?”
Dada Leye @olaleyedada was furious that Oliseh failed to concentrate on his coaching job rather he was busy with other things. He tweeted: “Siasia made the team look better in two games jare. All Oliseh did was fight with players, fight with NFF, played “yeye” football and shoot video.” @sephoru said: “Sunday Oliseh saw this coming. Baba just tender resignation and then he blamed witches & wizards in NFF.”
Sawyerr @MrSawyerr recalled that “Someone went on TV to state Oliseh would implement the German team-building pattern. I laughed so hard at the ignorance. All to justify crap.”