Former Super Eagles coach Sunday Oliseh believes African teams have what it takes to challenge the best teams in the world.
Oliseh made this known on the backdrop of Senegal’s 3-1 victory over England in Tuesday’s international friendly game.
The 1994 AFCON winner, via his official X handle on Wednesday, noted that African teams have no reason to fear any team in the world anymore.
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“The introduction of the European Nations League eliminated almost all possible international friendly matches Windows.
“That, in my opinion, is the only reason Teams like England do not get beaten often by African teams.
“The gap is no longer that significant, unlike in the 80’s. Africa has no reason to fear any team in the world anymore!”
5 Comments
Why not include 90’s?Because you played then haha…
Oliseh was right because by the 1990s and 2000 many African good players have been exported to Europe and intermingled with the best of the world in European Premier leagues. So the type of nervousness and fear of African teams in the 1970s and 80s have disappeared. Indeed starting from Italia 90 when Cameroon shocked Argentina in their group and almost eliminated England-but for their naivity in conceding 2 penalties late on- in their quarter final knock out stage, African teams started gaining confidence.
Recall that Oliseh was in the Super Eagles team of France 98 WC group that beat almighty Spain 3-2 to qualify top of their group, Oliseh scoring a scorcher winning goal against Spain.
I know all these was just messing about
Meaning what? When he played, he and others like him who played in that era are the best we’ve ever had as Super Eagles, so it wouldn’t have been a lie if he had included himself – Or have you forgotten the kind of left foot bazooka Oliseh was packing?? Even Roberto Carlos couldn’t hit a better freekick from 45 yards than him
Oliseh and left foot ke?
If you say he had a blockbuster right foot, I whole heartedly agree.
Yes, he could use his left as well, but his right was the major weapon. Apart from his long range shots, he was also adept at long range passing. Yekini in particular benefited so much from this. Yekini would request in Yoruba ” SA NA SI IWAJU FUN MI”, and Oliseh would dutifully oblige.