Former Super Eagles captain and head coach, Sunday Oliseh, has lavished praise on Nigeria’s national team, describing their performances at the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations as the finest he has seen in the last 20 years.
Speaking in a recent interview that has gained traction on social media, Oliseh reflected on the team’s journey through the tournament, admitting that he was not immediately convinced by their early outings. According to him, the Super Eagles’ initial matches did not fully reflect the level of excellence many fans were celebrating at the time.
Oliseh explained that while public excitement was high following games against Tunisia and Tanzania, he personally felt those encounters were not particularly outstanding from a technical standpoint. He noted that he had openly shared his views at the time and had no reason to revise them.
However, the former midfielder stressed that a clear transformation has since taken place. He pointed to Nigeria’s more recent matches against Uganda, Mozambique and Algeria as evidence of a dramatic improvement in quality, confidence and tactical discipline.
According to Oliseh, the Super Eagles’ performances in those games represent a standard he has not witnessed from the national team since 2006. He described the last three matches as exceptional, boldly stating that this current side is playing the best football Nigeria has produced in two decades.
Beyond the results, Oliseh highlighted the team’s tactical superiority and collective intensity. He observed that Nigeria now dictates the rhythm of games, forcing opponents to remain on the defensive for long stretches. From the backline to the midfield, he said, the team applies relentless pressure that leaves little room for opponents to settle.
He reserved special praise for the midfield duo of Frank Onyeka and Wilfred Ndidi, commending their aggression, ball recovery and physical presence. Oliseh also singled out Alex Iwobi, describing him as the conductor of the team, orchestrating play with intelligence and composure.
The former coach admitted that watching the Super Eagles in their current form brings him immense joy, but also poses a challenge when he is required to analyze or commentate on their matches professionally. He explained that remaining neutral is difficult when emotions and national pride are involved, especially given the level of football on display.
Following Nigeria’s commanding 2–0 victory over Algeria in the quarter-finals, Oliseh had already shared his optimism publicly. He expressed strong belief in the team’s title chances, citing their defensive solidity, control of possession and mature game management as key indicators of championship potential.
As the tournament approaches its decisive stage, the Super Eagles are set to face host nation Morocco in the semi-finals in Rabat. With confidence growing among fans and former players alike, expectations are rising that Nigeria could be on course for continental glory if they maintain their current momentum.
For Oliseh, the message is clear: this Super Eagles team is not only winning, but doing so with authority, identity and a level of performance that stands out in modern Nigerian football history.
