ENIWOKE IBAGERE , Lagos | Tuesday 6.00pm.
SUNDAY Oliseh, Nigeria’s newly elected captain, said on Tuesday he is finding his new role a tough challenge.
Juventus midfielder Oliseh was named team captain after striker Daniel Amokachi failed to make the African Nations Cup squad because of injury.
Oliseh led Nigeria to a 4-2 victory over Tunisia in the opening group D match on Sunday.
”It’s a great responsibility being the captain of a team where everyone is a star,” he said.
All but one of Nigeria’s 22-man squad play for overseas clubs.
”The captaincy band signifies responsibility and authority and the players respect you for that. But you must be cautious in talking to the players because each one thinks differently,” Oliseh said.
Oliseh, in an ”enforcer role” for Nigeria against Tunisa, said: ”I felt like fish out of water in that match. ”I had to concentrate on playing and at the same time ensure every player carries out our game plan. It’s a tough job.”
In naming Oliseh captain, the Nigerian Football Association said the player was ”polished, disciplined and intelligent” and had leadership qualities.
Oliseh, 25, made his international debut in 1993. He was in the Nigerian teams which won the 1994 Nations Cup and 1996 Olympic title. He also played in the 1994 and 1998 World Cups, scoring an outstanding volleyed winner in Nigeria’s 3-2 defeat of Spain in the 1998 tournament in France. He stopped playing for his country in August 1998 but was later persuaded to change his mind.
Oliseh is expected to lead the team out in their next game against Congo on Friday. — Reuters