Oliseh Revealed What Would Have Happened To Nigeria In ’96, ’98 AFCON

Sunday Oliseh has revealed what would have happened if Nigeria participated in 1996 and 1998 Africa Cup of Nations.

News Rain gathered that the former Super Eagles midfielder said the team could have won the 1996 and 1998 Africa Cup of Nations if they had participated in both tournaments.

Speaking in an interview recently, Oliseh said with the momentum after winning the 1994 AFCON, the team could have gone ahead to win the next two editions.

“Though you can never be sure of anything in football with the type of team we had in 1996, it was most probable that we could have won the AFCON in 1996 and 1998,” he said.

It will be recalled that Nigeria boycotted the 1996 AFCON in South Africa after winning the 1994 edition due to political differences between the then Head of State, Sani Abacha, and the then South Africa President, Nelson Mandela.

The Confederation of Africa Football subsequently barred the Eagles from the next edition in 1998.

The Eagles came back to win the silver medal at the 2000 edition co-hosted by Nigeria and Ghana, losing the final on penalties to Cameroon.

Oliseh Said Losing The Final To Cameroon A Sad Experience.

“I have mixed feelings about the 2000 AFCON because as the host nation, we did our best to get through to the final but it was very sad the way we lost it.

“We not only lost the trophy but it was as if something had been taken away from us. We felt sad because it could have been a wonderful gift to the fans on home soil especially since we had invested so much in the tournament,” He added.

Oliseh is reputed to be a physical yet technically gifted defensive midfielder, he played for world-famous clubs such as AFC Ajax, Borussia Dortmund, and Juventus F.C.
Oliseh played 63 international matches and scored three goals for Nigeria, and played at the Football World Cups of 1994 and 1998. Oliseh also participated in the Olympic gold medal-winning team of 1996.

Sunday Oliseh who was voted Africa’s third-best footballer in 1998 by CAF, is mostly remembered for scoring the winning goal in the group stage match against Spain in the 1998 World Cup, as Nigeria prevailed 3–2.