Sunday Oliseh Exposes Ex-Teammates' Betrayal, Reacts to Taribo West’s Comment at Rufai’s Funeral
- Super Eagles legend Sunday Oliseh has reacted to the ongoing saga in the Nigerian football community
- Taribo West's comment at the late Peter Rufai's burial sparked controversy among fans and his colleagues
- Oliseh pointed out that Nigeria's major problem in such cases are the former professionals themselves
Super Eagles legend Sunday Oliseh has heaped the biggest blame on the ongoing issues in Nigerian football over the former professional players.
Class of 1994 legendary goalkeeper Peter Rufai passed away on July 3, 2025, after a prolonged battle with illness and was buried in Lagos on August 22, 2025.
Source: Getty Images
According to Sahara Reporters, Taribo West sparked controversy after calling out the Nigeria Football Federation and Federal Government for abandoning Rufai even in death.
Nigerians slammed Taribo West, claiming ex-internationals should look after themselves and not wait for the government to cater for them in old age.
Oliseh responds to Taribo West's comment
Former Super Eagles captain Sunday Oliseh has picked on his former colleagues and named them as the major culprits in the problems facing ex-internationals.
Oliseh noted that the lack of unity in their midst is key to how they are perceived by others and treated by the government, citing the example of why he missed the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
“One of the major problems we have are ourselves, ex-professional soccer players, we are one of the major problems,” he said on the Global Football Insights Podcast.
“I suffered betrayal and backstabbing in 2002 when I was captain of the team. I didn't go to the World Cup, not because of something I did, but because I was fighting for other people, that was why.
“Not me, I was not the bad one, but I was trying to make sure that all my colleagues, as a captain, got paid their dues, which caused the ganging up, and even some of my colleagues backstabbed me at that time.”
He cited the examples of his other colleagues, including Finidi George, Stephen Keshi, and Emmanuel Amuneke, all of whom had issues and had no one stand up for them.
Source: Getty Images
“Let's look at what happened to Finidi George when he was coach, how many of our colleagues came out to defend Finidi? Almost none? Let's look at what happened to Amuneke, none. How many came out to fight for Keshi? None,” he added.
“Now it has happened again to Rufai, none. Taribo has come out and has said a word about it; he is being attacked by certain quarters, how many of our colleagues have come out to defend him?”
The former Juventus midfielder claimed that death is the ultimate price everyone must pay, and when it happens, no one will fight for the other because of the oath they have laid down.
He added that he has watched everything unfold with keen interest, and at one point, it has to stop.
Oliseh reveals his first salary in Europe
Legit.ng reported that Oliseh revealed his first salary in Europe at Belgian club RFC Liege to debunk the claims that ex-internationals made money in their career.
He disclosed that his first salary was $1,000, but he was paid $750 after deductions for tax and insurance, which he was unaware of earlier.
Source: Legit.ng
