Nigeria legend Sunday Oliseh has opened up on his experience with the Super Eagles which spanned nine years.
The former Borussia Dortmund midfielder made 63 appearances for the West Africans before he was forced to retire from international duty in 2002.
Oliseh was a key member of the Super Eagles team that won the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia under Dutch tactician Clemens Westerhof.
He explained the tournament opened doors of opportunities for him as he secured a move to Italy to play for Reggiana, becoming the first Nigerian to feature in the Serie A.
“The 1994 Afcon was very special for me. In fact, it was my first major tournament for Nigeria in Tunisia and we had some great talents in the squad at that time,” Oliseh told the Punch.
“We were favourites heading into the tournament and we ended up winning it. On an individual note, it was the breakthrough for me at international level.
“I was blessed to be the one that gave the pass to the late Rashidi Yekini for our team’s first goal and I was also the one that gave Emmanuel Amuneke the final pass to score the winning goal in the final against Zambia.
“So, it was like I opened the tournament and closed it for my country. It was really exceptional and special for me. I was voted the player of the tournament by France Football and that was a confirmation that I could really go further with my game.
“That feat also propelled my move to Italy at that time. I was the first Nigerian footballer to play in the Serie A with Reggiana. It was the experiences I had playing with Liège, Koln and Reggiana that helped me a lot at the 1996 Olympics.”
