TheCable

The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) sacked Sunday Oliseh as coach of the Super Eagles of Nigeria after his infamous ‘insane’ YouTube outburst, but Solomon Dalong, minister of sports, reversed it, TheCable has been told.

According to a highly-placed source in Nigeria’s football circles, the NFF became fed up with Oliseh’s methods, the height of which was his release of a video where he described his critics as insane.

“When he was sacked, the minister said no. Hope the minister can see it now,” the source, who asked not to be named, said.

“Nigeria has a very crucial game in March and Oliseh was saying he won’t be in Nigeria till March 10. Egypt is busy preparing for that game while we are busy bickering and talking about what is not.”

He also revealed that Oliseh waited to collect his salary arrears of N20million as well as all other remunerations due to him, before quickly resigning.

“Do you know that he has been paid all the money he is been owed? He is not owed a dime.

“Why is he still saying he resigned over unpaid salary? He should be able to tell everyone that he’s been paid. I guess he just waited to be paid for him to resign.”

The source also expressed surprise that Oliseh listed NFF’s contact with Herve Renard as one of his reasons for resigning.

“He should let Herve Renard respond to that, but I am 100 percent sure that NFF never went to talk to Renard or anyone. It is just an excuse. Herve Renard is a coach with Morocco.

“Oliseh realized that after saying all he did on YouTube and looking at what it is on ground right now, that it will not be easy and he cannot afford to fail Nigeria. That it is not just the NFF that will be after his case but the whole Nigeria.”

All attempts to get Oliseh’s reaction proved abortive, as all his phone numbers were off. Similarly, the NFF officials contacted for comments all declined to speak on the issues.