Bukola Olopade, the Director General of Nigeria's National Sports Commission (NSC), has voiced his disagreement with former Super Eagles coach Sunday Oliseh's remarks regarding Victor Osimhen and his teammates.
Oliseh had recently criticized Osimhen's behavior during Nigeria's semi-final loss to Morocco in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). He also criticized the Super Eagles players for celebrating their third-place finish, labeling it as an indication of 'mediocrity.'
In response to these comments, Olopade strongly opposed Oliseh’s views, emphasizing that the current team deserves encouragement rather than negative public scrutiny.
"I disagree with many of Oliseh's comments, particularly his criticism of Osimhen and other players," Olopade stated in an interview with Footy-Africa.
He further asserted, "While we should honor the superstars of the past, it is essential that they also serve as mentors for the younger generation instead of disparaging them."
Defending Osimhen, Olopade underscored the striker's significant role both on and off the field.
He remarked, "Osimhen stands as the second most prominent brand in Nigeria after the Super Eagles. If we are evaluating brands, the Super Eagles take the top spot, followed by Osimhen, and then the Super Falcons in third place."
"Oliseh is a legend, and his contributions to the game are well-established. However, he needs to allow these young players the space to make errors and grow, just as he had the opportunity to do," he added.
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