Oliseh Must Properly Apologize!

Posted by African Examiner Articles/Opinion, Latest Headlines, Sports News Saturday, February 13th, 2016

By Ridwan Adeola Yusuf

While we understand that the Head coach of the Super Eagles of Nigeria, Sunday Oliseh, has sent a letter of apology to the NFF, it must be established that this is not enough. Oliseh has offended not only the NFF or his ex-colleagues (whom his, You-tube outburst was obviously targeted at), but the generality of football-loving public. Certainly, Oliseh’s critics are not just limited to his football-career peers.

Seriously speaking, anybody in Oliseh’s position should be able to, and always be ready to absorb criticism. It is a fact to infer that if Oliseh had failed to manage the misunderstanding between him and his erstwhile captain (Vincent Enyeama), then, it will amount to asking for too much – to expect that he will tolerate the long list of his critics, home and abroad.

How then one expects a character like him to react if the ever critical, inquisitive and probing press takes on him? Perhaps, he would have labeled the newshounds imbecile.

CHAN 2016, which Oliseh described as “the least important competition held by CAF” is now considered a full international tournament and a team’s performance at it will count in the subsequent FIFA’s rankings. Apparently, the Super Eagles head coach holds grudges against some of his ex-colleagues.

The resentment could be traced to their playing days with the national team. It is an open secret that players like Daniel Amokachi (now the manager of JS Hercules in the second division of the Finnish league); late Rashidi Yekinni; Victor Ikpeba; Garba Lawal and he were never in good terms as teammates.

With Oliseh’s rant, targeted at his former colleagues, the discordant mood had been needlessly reignited. Very importantly, the media is not just a mirror but a weapon as well. In Oliseh’s case, the use of the two media has been exemplified. Subconsciously, he has used YouTube to mirror his temperamental nature – mostly using it as a tool to throw tantrum at his critics.

Nigerians recall in his playing days how emotion misguided him to launch a punch at a teammate, Vahid Hashemian while on loan at Vfl Bochum. Oliseh must realize that the damage has already been done. So, for him to redeem his dwindling image, he must either do another You Tube video recording, specifically to apologize to his fans and every single Nigerian football public. He can as well publish rejoinder in the National dailies (if he can afford it) or take to other social media handles of his desire, but with a wide reach to tender an unreserved apology!

Ridwan is a corps Member, writes from Ilorin, Kwara State: E-Mail: ridwanadeola@gmail.com