ABUJA, Nigeria -- Former midfielder and captain Sunday Oliseh was confirmed as the new coach of Nigeria on Wednesday.
Oliseh, 40, takes over from another ex-skipper of the Super Eagles, Stephen Keshi, who was fired earlier this month for breaching his contract by applying to be Ivory Coast coach.
#WelcomeOliseh pic.twitter.com/wNNvGzzOPd
- The NFF (@thenff) July 15, 2015
Oliseh flew into Nigeria on Tuesday and met with Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) officials, and the executive committee then approved his appointment.
The NFF didn't immediately give contract details, adding in a statement that Oliseh will bring in his own assistant coaches without naming any of them.
After Keshi's contentious departure, Oliseh's immediate task is to prepare the team for 2017 African Cup qualifying, which resumes in early September.
"There is no time to waste... it is imperative that Oliseh starts work immediately," NFF general secretary Mohammed Sanusi told the federation's official website.
#WelcomeOliseh @SundayOOliseh is presented! pic.twitter.com/sNhvsJ9eK5
- The NFF (@thenff) July 15, 2015
Oliseh played for Nigeria from 1993-2002, winning the African Nations Cup in 1994, and Olympic gold at the Atlanta Games in 1996. He appeared at two World Cups.
He also played club football in Italy, Germany, Netherlands, and Belgium, and recently served on FIFA's technical study group, a group of former players and coaches who analyse international games.
Nigeria have won the African Nations Cup three times in their history, the most recent coming under Keshi in 2013 after 19 years without a title.