According to a report by Daily Post on Thursday October 29, 2026, former Super Eagles head coach Sunday Oliseh has criticised ex-Nigeria captain John Obi Mikel over an incident during his tenure, claiming the former Chelsea midfielder ignored an invitation to a meeting in London despite the coach travelling to meet him.

Oliseh also disclosed that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had warned him against inviting Mikel, former goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama and striker Emmanuel Emenike to the national team, describing the trio as disruptive to the federation and its operations.

Speaking in a podcast video that has circulated widely on X, Oliseh said he regretted disregarding the advice when he assumed responsibility for the Super Eagles. He explained that he personally funded a trip to the United Kingdom to meet Mikel and Victor Moses, who were both playing in England at the time.

According to the former coach, he contacted the players and their clubs before arranging a meeting at an accessible bar in central London, accompanied by his assistant coach. However, while Moses attended, Mikel neither showed up nor responded to his WhatsApp message.

Oliseh suggested that Mikel might have considered himself superior because he played for a prominent club. He insisted that a player's status should not undermine respect for the person appointed to lead the national team.

“Where did you play that I did not play? What did you play that I did not play?” Oliseh said, adding that the position of national team coach deserved respect regardless of the individual holding it.

He described Mikel's failure to attend as “one of the biggest insults” he experienced, although he said he chose not to take the incident personally.

Oliseh praised Moses for participating in the meeting and engaging in an honest discussion about his concerns with the national team. He said Moses raised issues that Oliseh had also encountered, adding that the conversation strengthened his respect for the former winger.