Ajibade Babalade insists under-fire Super Eagles coach Sunday Oliseh can silence his critics by guiding Nigeria to the Gabon 2017 Africa Cup of Nations and Russia 2018 World Cup berths.
Oliseh endured a barrage of criticism from unhappy fans after the Eagles were sent packing from Rwanda 2016 African Nations Championship at the group stages last month. The former Nigeria captain, who claimed he was pressured to accept the job after his ex-Eagles’ teammate Stephen Keshi was sacked in 2015, fired back at his critics, saying they are “insane”. But former Nigeria defender Babalade, who expressed his disappointment at Oliseh labeling his critics “insane”, urged the ex-Ajax midfielder to prove his managerial mettle in the Gabon 2017 and Russia 2018 qualifiers. Babalade said, “I expected him to accept the criticism being aimed his way after we lost in the first round of CHAN rather than hitting back at his critics. Whether he was begged to take the job or not, he has been given the job and he must perform.” Babalade, who is popularly called Kunde, rejected suggestions Oliseh lacks the experience to manage the national team, having not managed a big club.
 

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