Former Super Eagles head coach, Sunday Oliseh, has revealed that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) still owes him $26,000 in unpaid salaries from his time in charge of the national team.
Speaking on the Home Turf podcast, the 51-year-old tactician expressed frustration over the lingering debt but made it clear that he has chosen not to take legal action against the federation out of respect for his country.
“Till today, I am the only Nigerian coach who ever resigned,” Oliseh said. “And till today, they are still owing me two months’ salary, which is $26,000.”
The former midfielder, who managed the Super Eagles between 2015 and 2016, disclosed that many people have advised him to take the matter to FIFA, the world’s football governing body, as he believes he has a strong case.
“A lot of people have asked me to take the NFF to court,” he continued. “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.”
Oliseh also emphasized that his decision is rooted in patriotism rather than weakness. “I will not take my fatherland to a western court,” he added. “I love my country, and no matter what, I don’t want to be seen as someone fighting against Nigeria.”
Oliseh’s tenure as Super Eagles coach ended abruptly in 2016 following disagreements with the NFF over unpaid salaries and alleged interference in team management. Despite the controversy surrounding his exit, the former Ajax and Juventus midfielder remains one of Nigeria’s most outspoken figures in football.
His latest remarks reignite discussions about the long-standing issue of unpaid wages and poor treatment of local coaches in Nigerian football, a problem that has persisted for years without a lasting solution.
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