The former Mainz star believes Sunday Oliseh laid the foundation for the success the Super Eagles are currently enjoying.
Nigeria under Rohr have qualified for two major tournaments with a game to spare, finished third at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, and currently have one of the best young teams in the world.
While Rohr deserves praises for making Nigeria a force again, Balogun believes Oliseh should also take some credit.
The former Dortmund midfielder was in charge of the Super Eagles in 2015, and it was under him players like Ndidi, Iwobi and Simon made their debuts.
Although he was only in charge for just eight months, the players he gave a chance then have now become core members of Gernot Rohr’s squad.
Oliseh did not make so many friends during his time as Nigeria’s manager, but Balogun believes the changes he made after Keshi was sacked resulted in the new-look Super Eagles.
“The team after the World Cup was in flux with a lot of changes,” Balogun said in an Instagram live chat with Funnybone.
“Oliseh brought in Iwobi, Ndidi, Simon, players who are regulars now.” He laid the foundation for this current Super Eagles.
We have been told that we are the best ever, but there is also the Olympic team etc. This group gets along well with no wahala at all in camp.
to funny to see a german-born Balogun using the naija word “Wahala”. he has really been imbibed into the system
Yes. I think he’s more settled than Ekong.