Eagles’ veterans react to Oliseh, Enyeama clash

Following the pandemonium that took place inside the Super Eagles camp on Tuesday evening between head coach Sunday Oliseh and captain Vincent Enyeama, the rancor that led to Oliseh sending Enyeama out of Eagles camp in Belgium.

Reports had it that the France-based goalkeeper was sent out for reporting late to camp. The coach was angry over the shot stopper’s late arrival to join teammates in Belgium ahead of Nigeria’s friendlies with Congo and Cameroon on Thursday and Sunday respectively.

The Lille keeper arrived camp after Monday’s deadline, having been reportedly permitted to report late following Saturday’s burial of his mother in AkwaIbom.

But Oliseh ordered Enyeama out of the camp, despite pleas from the keeper, who apologised for coming late and wanted to give his reasons.

Oliseh reportedly told Enyeama to shut up but the Eagles captain didn’t comply, which made the coach call on security operatives to get the keeper out of Hotel Verviers, the camp site of the Eagles.

But the Nigeria Football Federation has moved swiftly to calm the situation.

But the NFF waded into the matter and persuaded Enyeama to remain in camp.

“It’s true that there was a little misunderstanding in the camp of @NGSuperEagles, but the matter has been resolved. Enyeama remains in camp,” the NFF said on Twitter.

Speaking to BusinessDay in a telephone conversation, former Super Eagles striker, Jonathan Akpoborie faulted why the rancor between the Super Eagles gaffer and his captain should come out to the public domain. He blamed the Nigerian Football Federation and Sunday Oliseh for exposing their dirty linen outside.

“ These news is not suppose to be in the public domain, it should have been treated and resolved internally,” Akpoborie told BusinessDay.

He advised the NFF and Sunday Oliseh to focus more on making Nigeria make it to 2017 AFCON holding in Gabon.

“For me, I want to see Nigeria play in the next Nations Cup, NFF and Oliseh should concentrate on ensuring that Nigeria make the trip to Gabon and not about their private issues. The national call comes first ahead of any personal or private issues, ” the one time Julius Berger F.C player added.

Also earing his voice, erstwhile Nigeria goalkeeper Joe Erico advised the NFF and Oliseh to show respect to each other.

“Respect is reciprocal; the NFF should respect the coach and the coach should respect the players, ” Erico said

Erico, popularly called Jogo Bonito in his playing days maintains that Oliseh should be firm and fair in carrying out his duties.

As the head coach of the national team, Oliseh should be given the total autonomy to manage the Super Eagles.

The NFF as a body should support and play advisory role and not to interfere with the activities of the coach.

Lastly, no matter how big or influential a player is, that does not give him the opportunity to disobey the instructions of the coach, no act of indiscipline should be condoled in the national team.

The coach should forget about the misunderstanding that transpired at the camp on Tuesday and resolve to enhance the unity and foster the team sprit of the players.

Anthony Nlebem