Sunday Oliseh Slams Michael Olise for Choosing France Over Nigeria Representation

Posted : 14 April 2026

Former Super Eagles captain and coach Sunday Oliseh has expressed deep frustration over Michael Olise’s decision to represent the French national team. Speaking on his podcast, Global Football Insights, Oliseh insisted that the Bayern Munich forward should be wearing the Nigerian green-white-green. The 24-year-old winger was eligible for Nigeria, England, and Algeria before committing to Les Bleus.

Oliseh admitted that watching the former Crystal Palace star perform at the highest level makes him "angry" because of the missed opportunity for Nigeria. He noted that many fans have jokingly blamed him for the decision due to the similarity in their surnames. However, he clarified that they are not related, jokingly pointing out that his name ends with an "h" while Michael's does not.

Despite the criticism of his choice, Oliseh was full of praise for the winger’s technical abilities. He confessed that he initially had doubts about the player’s ceiling during his time in the Premier League. However, after witnessing his current form in the Bundesliga, Oliseh believes Olise could eventually compete for the Ballon d'Or.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) made several attempts to secure the player’s services in the past. Former coach Gernot Rohr even called him up for the 2021 AFCON qualifiers, but Olise did not feature in those matches. He also reportedly declined a meeting with former NFF president Amaju Pinnick in 2022 to discuss a potential switch.

Since making his senior debut for France against Italy in September 2024, Olise has become a key figure for Didier Deschamps. He has recorded four goals and three assists in fifteen appearances for the French national team. In the 2025/2026 club season, he has been in sensational form for Bayern Munich, tallying 12 goals and 18 assists in the Bundesliga.

While Michael is now permanently tied to France, the door remains open for his younger brother. Richard Olise, a defender currently developing at Chelsea, remains eligible to represent Nigeria despite playing for England at the youth level. Nigerian football officials may look to avoid a repeat of the Michael Olise situation with the younger sibling.

The debate highlights the ongoing challenge Nigeria faces in recruiting dual-national players born in Europe. Oliseh’s comments reflect a wider sentiment of loss among Nigerian football enthusiasts. For now, the Super Eagles will have to watch from the sidelines as one of Europe’s brightest talents shines for a rival nation.

Sunday Oliseh Slams Michael Olise for Choosing France Over Nigeria Representation

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