Sunday Oliseh is averse to instituting a code of conduct for the Super Eagles, arguing that it’s unnecessary.
The document, reports say, is being readied by the Nigeria Football Federation to guide the behaviour of players and spell out sanctions to dissenting characters in future.
It comes on the back of Oliseh’s recent disputes with his former captain Vincent Enyeama as well as the abrupt retirement of key man Emmanuel Emenike. Despite the bad press it gave him, the Super Eagles boss feels things must be handled differently, reports Supersport.
“These players are men and some of them are even married and so deserve some respect. As professionals, they know how to behave in camp,” the Super Eagles boss told the media in Abuja on Wednesday.
“If you want respect as a coach you give it. If you want respect as a player you should also give it.”
The latest Fifa ranking also showed Nigeria in 59th, a position that has not gone down well with expectant fans. Oliseh asked for absolution from that drop, urging a look at the context of how this has happened.
“We can’t be held responsible for what happened shortly before we came in. Also I know I have played six and lost just one.”
And ahead of the team’s first leg World Cup qualifier against Swaziland, the former Super Eagles skipper said his starting lineup will be down to current form and nothing else. “It doesn’t matter to me if you have been playing 10 years before or you have not been playing… It doesn’t matter,” he explained. “The best will play. It also does not matter if you are scoring 50 goals, 30 or 20 goals at (your club).
“What is important is how you adapt to our style of play which will enable your teammates to play well with you. We are not going to have one star player and everyone will be playing for him. We will have 11 or 14 stars as the case may be.”
Friday’s game will be played at Somhlolo National Stadium, Lobamba with the return leg scheduled for November 17 at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt.
Posted by Janice Johnson
