Oliseh denies beef with Osimhen, reveals 2015 Super Eagles call-up plan
Former Super Eagles coach Sunday Oliseh has dismissed suggestions he dislikes Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen, insisting his recent comments on Turkish Super Lig quality were misinterpreted. Speaking October 29, Oliseh clarified that comparing second-division football to top-flight leagues was a general point about competitive standards—not a dig at Osimhen's move to Galatasaray.
"You can't compare second division anywhere with the first division," Oliseh said, explaining the question about Turkey's league ranking felt designed to manufacture conflict. He revealed he had shortlisted Osimhen for a Super Eagles call-up in 2015 after the striker won the FIFA U-17 World Cup with Nigeria, planning to integrate him into the senior setup. "I've always liked this guy," Oliseh said, adding in Pidgin: "How I go get beef with somebody wey I no know?"
The clarification comes amid ongoing debate about where the Turkish Super Lig ranks among European leagues, fueled by Osimhen's strong performances for Galatasaray. Oliseh maintains he supports any Nigerian player succeeding abroad and has no personal issues with the forward.
For Nigerian football followers, this settles a manufactured narrative. The real question: does league hierarchy matter when Nigerian talent performs at the highest level wherever they play?