Former Super Eagles head coach Sunday Oliseh has disclosed that he opted not to pursue legal action against the Nigeria Football Federation regarding unpaid salaries, as he did not wish to be perceived as opposing his country.
The 51-year-old coach revealed that the NFF still owes him $26,000 in unpaid wages from his tenure leading the national team from 2015 to 2016.
During an appearance on the Home Turf podcast, Oliseh voiced his frustration over the outstanding debt but clarified that he has decided against taking legal action against the federation out of respect for his nation.
“To this day, I am the only Nigerian coach who has ever resigned. And to this day, they still owe me two months’ salary, which amounts to $26,000,” Oliseh stated.
The former midfielder mentioned that numerous individuals have encouraged him to escalate the issue to FIFA, the global governing body of football, as he believes he possesses a strong case.
“Many people have urged me to take the NFF to court. If I were to bring the case to FIFA, I would prevail. However, when the news breaks, the headlines will not read ‘Oliseh takes NFF to court,’ but rather ‘Oliseh takes Nigeria to court.’ That is not an association I wish to have,” he elaborated.
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Oliseh further stressed that his choice is based on patriotism, not weakness. “I will not bring my fatherland before a Western court. I cherish my country, and regardless of the circumstances, I do not want to be viewed as someone who is fighting against Nigeria,” he concluded.
Oliseh’s time as Super Eagles coach came to an abrupt end in 2016 due to conflicts with the NFF over unpaid salaries and alleged interference in team management.
The former midfielder for Ajax and Juventus has resigned from his position, marking him as the first Nigerian coach to voluntarily leave the role.
In spite of the controversy that accompanied his departure, Oliseh remains one of the most vocal figures in Nigerian football, continuing to address issues that impact the sport within the country.
His recent comments have reignited conversations regarding the persistent problem of unpaid wages and the inadequate treatment of local coaches in Nigerian football, a challenge that has endured for years without a definitive resolution.
This revelation emerges at a time when the NFF is under scrutiny for its management of financial issues concerning national team coaches and players.
His choice not to take legal action against the NFF, even though he is owed money, underscores the intricate dynamics between Nigerian football officials and those who represent the national team.
