Eagles: Oliseh gives keepers special consideration

In from Nifemi Daniel …

New Super Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh, has amended his earlier stance that only Nigerians who play in first division clubs will be welcomed to the team.

Lower division goalkeepers will be allowed to play for Nigeria, Oliseh said Monday.

The coach’s remarks at his unveiling that “first division players are the ones that we find eligible to serve our country” has since been criticised by many who say the policy is not workable in Nigeria’s peculiar circumstances.

In a new video uploaded to YouTube on Monday, Oliseh said the coaching crew believes that only the best is good for the Super Eagles.

But he made further clarifications saying, “Of course this applies to field players because goalkeepers are a different breed as we call them.”

Read also: Oliseh gives criteria for Eagles invite

He continued: “And there could be some exception for players who are excelling in the second division”.

He said the basis for their decision is, “the players in the first division are used to a certain level, tempo and competition standards because of what the first division entails.

“And because of that, we need the best who are already used to playing at this tempo to serve and play for Nigeria.

“Also players that are already in the national fold – from the U-17 to the U-23 are also exempted from the first division rules,” he said.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now