Sunday Oliseh replaces Keshi as Nigeria coach

AP , Wednesday 15 Jul 2015

Sunday Oliseh
Sunday Oliseh

Former midfielder and captain Sunday Oliseh was confirmed as the new coach of Nigeria on Wednesday.

Oliseh took over from another former captain, Stephen Keshi, who was fired this month for breaching his contract by applying to be Ivory Coast coach.

Oliseh flew into Nigeria on Tuesday and met with Nigerian Football Federation officials. The executive committee then approved his appointment. The NFF didn't immediately give contract details.

Oliseh played for Nigeria from 1993-2002, winning the African Cup of Nations in 1994, and Olympic gold at the Atlanta Games in 1996. He appeared at two World Cups.

He also played club football in Italy, Germany, Netherlands, and Belgium, and recently served on FIFA's technical study group, a group of former players and coaches who analyze international games.

The 40-year-old Oliseh will bring in his own assistant coaches, the NFF said, but didn't name any of them in its statement.

After Keshi's contentious departure, Oliseh's immediate task is to prepare the team for 2017 African Cup qualifying, which resumes in early September.

"There is no time to waste ... it is imperative that Oliseh starts work immediately," NFF general secretary Mohammed Sanusi said.

Nigeria is a three-time African champion, and won its first continental title in 19 years under Keshi in 2013.

(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)

 
Short link: