Despite his disappointment, Oliseh praised Olise’s talent and development. He admitted, “When he was doing great at Crystal Palace, I was saying to myself, ‘This guy is good, but maybe he’s missing something.’ But when I see him now at Bayern, I say to myself, ‘This guy one day might also contest for the Ballon d’Or because he is so good.’” Olise’s performances have drawn attention, with defenders often fouling him and even provoking him, yet he remains composed on the pitch.
Since his senior debut for France, Olise has recorded four goals and three assists in 15 appearances. His rise at Bayern Munich has made him one of Europe’s most exciting young talents. Meanwhile, his younger brother, Chelsea right-back Richard Olise, remains eligible to play for Nigeria, despite having represented England’s youth teams. The Olise brothers’ international eligibility highlights the ongoing debate over talent acquisition for the Super Eagles.
Oliseh’s comments reflect a broader sentiment among Nigerian football fans and officials who believe the country continues to lose potential stars to other nations. As the Super Eagles seek to rebuild and strengthen their squad, the story of Michael Olise serves as a reminder of the importance of early engagement and strategic recruitment. The future of Nigerian football may depend on how effectively the NFF identifies and nurtures such talents before they commit to other countries.
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