Oliseh defends Black Stars over bonus row

Ex-Nigeria midfielder Sunday Oliseh has defended the Black Stars and other African players conduct over bonuses at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Ghana, Cameroon and Nigeria all had issues with their players over appearance fees and bonuses during the tournament.

However, Oliseh believes the row is not enough to judge them as non-committal to their national team course due to their unique cultural background, and their financial responsibilities stretch far beyond their own ends.


“I would refute the suggestion that African players are not as committed in fact, I’d say they are more committed. When you look at the responsibilities African players have to carry, the culture is a familiar one,” Oliseh said.


“It’s built around families.


“If you are earning €100, it’s not just for your wife and kids, it’s for your wife, kids, brother, cousin, aunt, sister and sister’s brother. School fees for this and that. In one kind of way, we are drained.


“But it’s a drainage we accept and do not complain about.

“So when African players come to the World Cup, it’s not all about money, it’s because of the fact that most of them have (been made) certain promises and these promises have not been fulfilled.


“It’s very easy to apportion blame but it’s a general thing because the situation is different. My mailbox is full with questions about this issue.”


The former Super Eagles captain who had 63 caps for Nigeria and is now a member of the FIFA technical group at the ongoing World Cup feels an African team can win the World cup if on field issues are addressed properly.


“We have the quality. Ghana were within one penalty (in a shootout) of reaching the semifinals four years ago. But what we need is a solution so that everyone is satisfied before the tournament starts.


“It’s going to be better for everyone if we don’t have to talk about off the pitch issues. Personally I find it very painful.”