Former Super Eagles head coach Sunday Oliseh has dismissed suggestions that he dislikes Victor Osimhen, insisting he admires the Galatasaray striker.

According to the former midfielder, his earlier comments on the Turkish Super Lig were misinterpreted and were not meant to discredit Osimhen’s remarkable performances in Turkey.

The former Juventus midfielder maintained that leagues should be ranked by how competitive they are, arguing that a second division can’t be compared to a first division.

“You can’t compare second division anywhere with the first division. Why do you think it’s called the first division? It’s called the first division because that is where the highest level of football is played,” Oliseh said.

He declined to say whether the Turkish Super Lig should be considered a top league in Europe, because he believes his answer would be read as dislike for Osimhen.

He did reveal that he had considered inviting Osimhen to the national team after the striker’s U-17 World Cup triumph with Nigeria in 2015.

“Let me reveal something to you. Ask the NFF. When I was coaching the Super Eagles, Osimhen was supposed to have been invited. I’ve always liked this guy,” he said.

He added that his admiration for the former Napoli striker dates back more than a decade, long before his rise to stardom.

“I’m not defending myself, but I’m just trying to explain because they’re always trying to put this as if you don’t like him. How I go get beef with somebody wey I no know?”

WDN