Former Super Eagles captain and coach Sunday Oliseh has insisted that Nigeria’s goalkeeping concerns cannot be blamed on individual players alone, arguing that the issue is rooted in the team’s overall structure.
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Speaking on the debate surrounding the national team’s goalkeepers, Oliseh stressed that even world-class shot-stoppers will struggle if the defensive system in front of them is weak.
“It’s not just about the goalkeeper,” he said.
According to the former midfielder, successful teams are built collectively, with every department contributing to defensive stability.
“A strong defence protects the goalkeeper,” he implied.
Oliseh argued that focusing solely on goalkeepers ignores deeper tactical and structural issues within the team.
“It’s a system problem,” he noted.
He also defended his long-standing support for the domestic league, emphasizing that Nigeria cannot consistently succeed internationally without a healthy local football structure.
“I believe in the local league,” he added.
The former coach pointed out that he himself emerged from Nigerian domestic football, using his own journey as proof of the league’s importance.
“I’m a product of the system,” he stressed.
For Oliseh, rebuilding Nigerian football requires investment in all levels of the game, not just individual talents.
“You must build from the base,” he said.
As discussions continue around the Super Eagles’ future, his comments highlight the importance of collective responsibility and structural development.
For Oliseh, the message is clear.
Fix the system.
Strengthen the defence.
And support local football.
Because football problems are rarely solved by blaming one player alone.
