“I am afraid” – Ex-Nigeria coach Sunday Oliseh predicts possible tipping point for Super Eagles despite impressive AFCON outing

Former Nigeria coach Sunday Oliseh has shared fears that the Super Eagles could experience a downward spiral following their second-place finish in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Super Eagles have always been one of the most talented teams on the continent, but over the years, they have often failed to reach the heights expected of them.

Before the last AFCON in 2023, there were fears about the quality of the team as they were struggling to win games. However, they surprised most football fans and reached the final of the competition, where they suffered a 2-1 loss to hosts Cote d’Ivoire.

Former Super Eagles boss Oliseh was quite impressed with the team’s achievement at the AFCON but fears that history could repeat itself, as Nigeria always suffers a downtrend whenever they achieve success.

“We are at a dangerous point as a football country. After my generation stopped, Nigeria stopped winning and becoming relevant. We started celebrating ‘golden bronze’. But Keshi was able to come up and make up a team that won the 2013 AFCON,” Oliseh told Channels TV.

“However, immediately after that, we did not qualify for the 2015 and 2017 AFCON. Even though in 2015, the coach, in my opinion, is still one of the top coaches that we’ve ever had. So we had a nosedive then, which is something I am afraid that may happen again, and that is something we have to fight against.”