There’s more to me than football – Oliseh

Weekly Trust: What have you been doing after retiring as a Super Eagles star? Sunday Oliseh: After I retired in 2006 I did some education towards becoming a coach and did some television work and now I work with the FIFA. WT: What were your most exciting moments during your playing days that have had […]

Weekly Trust: What have you been doing after retiring as a Super Eagles star?
Sunday Oliseh: After I retired in 2006 I did some education towards becoming a coach and did some television work and now I work with the FIFA.
WT: What were your most exciting moments during your playing days that have had an impact on what you are today?
Oliseh: As an ex-player I have had so many exciting moments, but the one that has had an impact on who I am today was the Olympic Gold medal (Atlanta 1996 Olympics) which was unprecedented, that moment was a distinctive one. That stood out on its own otherwise life has been a roller coaster.
WT: When your name is mentioned, the game of football readily comes to the minds of many. Is your life presently still all about soccer?
Oliseh: I would say a life without soccer would have been boring to me, because I practically live soccer. This is not to say that soccer is everything for me. There is more to my life than soccer. Soccer is just the icing on the cake. Asides soccer, I enjoy my private life with the family. I play a lot of tennis to keep myself busy and I travel a lot. In fact, I would say after I retired that was when I really started living life unlike in the past when everything was all about soccer. Now I enjoy my weekends and have more time for my family.
WT: If you were never into soccer, what else would you have become?
Oliseh: I would have become an economist, because I was very passionate about economics. I would have been probably working with a bank or a firm…
WT: Do you still have that flair for economics?
Oliseh: I manage myself and I my company, I still do economics in trying to do all the management. It’s not a too big company, but we do a lot of consulting for other people and all this sometimes involves economics because we have to be able to manage what comes in and what goes out.
WT: What is a typical day like for you?
Oliseh: I relax by being with my kids. The fun times and funny games of children keep me in a relaxed mood. If I am not watching television to relax, I am definitely with my children. They are also a good avenue of relaxation for me. They give me all the comfort and that way I am relaxed.
WT: Every career once in a while faces good and challenging moments. As an ex-Super Eagles star, what were some of the challenges you had back then?
Oliseh: I would say the most challenging for me were the anticipated results we were going to come out with in a match. Nigerians don’t expect less, so, that was always a challenge for me. My challenge was never the opponent or any other thing, but the reaction of Nigerians if we come out with something less expected. It was really tough whenever I thought of the reactions of Nigerians. Football was a great factor to Nigerians and no one would want to toy with their expectations.
WT: Were you married when you were a player, and if you were, how did it affect your family life?
Oliseh: Yes I was married then and it did have some stress on the family, because I was not always around. We were either playing for one cup qualifier or the other. Most times they were not with me whenever I travelled especially when we were in a tournament. Yes, it was a lot of stress for them and me too, but all that is in the past because I am trying to make up for it now.
WT: You played under a foreign coach when Nigeria had its glory. What is your opinion on a foreign or local coach for the country?
Oliseh: I would prefer to skip this question and rather not comment on it.
WT: Have your children taken after you in soccer?
Oliseh: I have two children, a boy and a girl. My son has shown a lot of interest in soccer and would like to play soccer, but I would prefer he focuses on his education for now before soccer. He can play soccer, but he needs education. Soccer without education means he suffers after retirement from soccer. That is what I did during my own time. I combined both soccer and my education. I also took my studies seriously and that is what is paying me today.
WT: What in your view is the future of the game in Nigeria?
Oliseh: The future of Nigerian soccer is very bright. We are one of the countries that come up with a number of teams for any competition. We have a population of over 160 million people who have a passion for soccer, so, with this kind of commitment and support for the love of the game I see no reason why we cannot be a nation to reckon with in the game of soccer globally. For Brazil 2014, I am very optimistic and believe Nigeria will make a difference.
WT: How have you been able to manage the fame that came with your being an important member of the Super Eagles?
Oliseh: I have always believed that the fame I got was not of my own doing, so I have been very mindful of whatever I do and do not do. Managing fame in my own case has been very manageable. It is great feeling that people appreciate that you are talented in something and you are doing it well, but at the same time you still have to respect yourself  when it comes to being a star otherwise you will lose it.
WT: Talking about respecting yourself as a star, sometimes being famous comes with a price. What was the price you had to pay for fame?
Oliseh: One of the first prices you have to pay as a star is that you have to give up your private life. Second, you have to realise that you get double standards from different people. Sometimes it is good and sometimes it can be terrible. These two things are what you have to pay for being famous.  Fame sure comes with a price.
WT: What is your favourite meal?
Oliseh: Pounded yam and egusi soup. If I do not eat it a night before a match, I am never complete. The meal gets me set for the game ahead.
WT: What was a day to a big game like for you back then?
Oliseh: A night before a major game, I make sure I eat pounded yam and egusi soup or take it with pepper soup and if I cannot find that I take some pasta, pray and go to bed early. I try to get at least eight hours of sleep non-stop. Get up and rehearse, do my prayers and focus on the team ahead of us. I really try not to stress myself out before a game. I keep my mind clean and free of any worries.  The only thing that was always on my mind was how to make Nigeria proud.
WT: While in the Super Eagles, did you ever feel intimidated by any team before a game?
Oliseh: We always knew that the challenges before us were ourselves and not the opponents. We remained on being focused and playing our best. We never allowed any team to be an intimidation instead we tried to be the intimidators. We were a team every country wanted to beat and we always challenged ourselves and played as if we were playing against ourselves.
WT: Do you have any last words for Nigerians?
Oliseh: Nigerians need to understand that the World Cup is at hand and the team (Super Eagles) cannot be complete without their support, positive comments and less negativity.