Nigeria Sunday Oliseh – I was malaria-sicked before 2000 AFCON quarter-final

Sunday Oliseh

Legendary Nigerian midfielder Sunday Oliseh have broken the silence over his health condition before Super eagles’ quarter-final clash against Senegal in 2000 AFCON.

Sunday Oliseh was not expected to feature against Teranga lions in 2000 AFCON’s quarter-final. But as a captain and for the love he has for Nigeria, Oliseh decided to play that game despite Jo Bonfrere, then Nigeria coach’s intention to bench him.

“Nothing but the love for my country made me come off the bench against Senegal. I had malaria and was dehydrated at the same time too and I was not even supposed to be on the bench,” Oliseh told CAFonline.

“But Coach Jo Bonfrere insisted I should be on the bench because my presence ‘would boost the team’s spirit’. We were losing some minutes to the end of the match when I was introduced. It was a risk but it was never going to be an option for Nigeria to go out of the competition at that stage.” he added.

READ : Oliseh hails Lopetegui for self-believe despite setbacks

Fortunately he boosted his team in winning the game with a stunning brace from teenager Julius Aghahowa, 17, after Khalilou Fadiga‘s opener for Senegal.

After winning 2-0 to South Africa in semifinal, Nigeria lost in penalty shootouts to Samuel Eto’o and Patrick Mboma‘s Cameroon in final.

A loss that is considered as one of the most painful for the country.


Aimé ATTI

Aimé ATTI is a bilingual journalist who breathes football and shares his passion on Africa Top Sports

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