Former Super Eagles head coach, Sunday Oliseh, has revealed that he declined to take legal action against the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) over unpaid salaries amounting to $26,000, citing patriotism as his reason.
The 51-year-old, who managed the national team between 2015 and 2016, disclosed this during an appearance on the Home Turf podcast.
“Till today, I am the only Nigerian coach who ever resigned. And till today, they are still owing me two months’ salary, which is $26,000,” Oliseh said.
The former midfielder explained that though many have urged him to take the matter to FIFA — where he believes he would win — he refused because he does not want to be seen as taking legal action against his country.
“A lot of people have asked me to take the NFF to court. If I take the case to FIFA, I will win. But when the news breaks, the headlines won’t say ‘Oliseh takes NFF to court,’ they will say ‘Oliseh takes Nigeria to court.’ And that’s not something I want to be associated with,” he stated.
Oliseh clarified that his restraint was an act of patriotism, not weakness.
“I will not take my fatherland to a Western court. I love my country, and no matter what, I don’t want to be seen as someone fighting against Nigeria,” he added.
Oliseh’s reign as Super Eagles coach ended in 2016 after a series of disagreements with the NFF over unpaid wages and alleged interference in team management. His resignation made him the first Nigerian coach to voluntarily step down from the role.
The former Ajax and Juventus star remains one of Nigeria’s most outspoken football figures and continues to comment on issues affecting the game.
His recent revelations have reignited discussions about the persistent problem of unpaid wages and poor welfare for local coaches and players in Nigerian football — an issue that has plagued the NFF for decades.
Oliseh earned 63 caps and scored three goals for Nigeria during an illustrious playing career that included stints with Ajax, Borussia Dortmund, and Juventus. He was also part of the Super Eagles squad that won the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations and featured at the 1994 and 1998 FIFA World Cups, famously scoring a stunning winner against Spain in France ‘98.
