Former Super Eagles coach Sunday Oliseh has revealed that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) warned him against inviting John Obi Mikes, Vincent Enyeama and Emmanuel Emenike to the national team when he took charge. Oliseh described the trio as players who had created difficulties for the federation and the team, adding that he regretted ignoring the warning.

Speaking in a viral podcast video on X, the former Juventus midfielder recalled an incident involving Mikes and Victor Moses when he was coaching Nigeria. Oliseh said he travelled to London to arrange a meeting with the two players to discuss issues concerning the national team.

Oliseh explained that he used his personal money to travel from Belgium to the UK and contacted the players and their clubs before arranging an appointment at a bar in central London. However, while Moses attended the meeting, Mikes allegedly failed to show up or respond to his WhatsApp message.

According to Oliseh, he believed Mikes’s status as a Chelsea player at the time might have influenced his decision not to attend. Reacting to the incident, he questioned the former midfielder’s attitude towards him and his position as national team coach.

“Maybe because he’ll say, ‘I play for this big club now,’ but you see, that’s why they say sometimes Sunday (Oliseh) is direct. Where did you play that I did not play? What did you play that I did not play?” Oliseh said.

He described Mikes’s failure to attend the meeting as “one of the biggest insults,” but maintained that he did not take the incident personally. Oliseh said he remained willing to listen to the players and understand their concerns about the national team.

He added that Moses had an extensive discussion with him during the meeting and openly explained the problems he believed were affecting the team. Oliseh said some of the issues Moses raised were similar to those he had experienced himself, which earned the former Chelsea winger his respect.

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Oliseh also stressed that players must respect the office of the national team coach, regardless of their club status or achievements. He argued that being appointed to lead the national team carries authority and responsibility that players should recognise.