WCQ 2026: Oliseh slams NFF, Super Eagles players over criticism of Troost-Ekong, Dessers

Former Super Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh, has criticised the Nigeria Football Federation for supposedly blaming William Troost-Ekong and Cyriel Dessers after the team’s World Cup qualifier 1-1 draw against South Africa earlier this month.

Oliseh also hit out at Super Eagles players for the lack of unity within the squad, accusing them of failing to support their teammates, Troost-Ekong and Dessers, in times of criticism.

Recall that Troost-Ekong and Dessers came under fire for their performances against South Africa.

“Football is a team sport. From that alone, you already know why this Super Eagles aren’t performing,” Oliseh said.

“Your captain [Troost-Ekong] scored an own goal while trying to defend. It’s as if he took the ball with his hand and put it inside.

“Dessers, who was one of the instrumental players that helped us [Nigeria] to win 3 days before is being criticized after you lost a game. Now they’re being criticized.”

“They [NFF] are shifting the blame away from the management and putting it on the players. They attack these players and the Super Eagles players, none of them have said anything.

“They’re not backing their leaders. This was what destroyed the Super Eagles in 2002.”