LAGOS, Nigeria — Former Super Eagles captain and coach Sunday Oliseh has claimed that Morocco could have defeated Brazil 3-1 if they had Nigerian stars Victor Osimhen or Ademola Lookman in their attacking lineup, praising the Atlas Lions’ impressive performance in their recent international friendly against the five-time world champions.
Oliseh made the assertion in a post on his verified social media handle following Morocco’s tightly contested match against Brazil, which ended in a narrow defeat for the North African side. The former international midfielder argued that Morocco dominated large portions of the game but lacked the clinical finishing needed to convert their chances into goals.
According to Oliseh, Morocco’s tactical discipline, defensive organisation, and midfield control were exemplary throughout the match. He noted that the Atlas Lions created several clear-cut opportunities that a striker of Osimhen’s calibre or a winger of Lookman’s quality would have easily converted. He specifically pointed to three missed chances that he believed would have been buried by either Nigerian forward.
Osimhen, who currently plays for Napoli in Italy’s Serie A, is widely regarded as one of Africa’s most lethal strikers. His pace, physicality, and finishing ability have made him a nightmare for defenders across Europe. Lookman, who represents Atalanta also in Serie A, has enjoyed a resurgence in form, becoming known for his dribbling skills, creativity, and goal-scoring prowess, including a memorable hat-trick in the Europa League final.
Oliseh’s comments have sparked debate among football fans across the continent. Some have agreed with his assessment, noting that Morocco’s recent rise as an African football powerhouse has been built on defensive solidity and team cohesion rather than individual attacking brilliance. Others argue that Morocco already possesses quality attackers and that Oliseh’s hypothetical scenario diminishes the achievements of Moroccan players.
The former Super Eagles coach also used the opportunity to reflect on Nigeria’s own footballing fortunes. He expressed concern that the Super Eagles have failed to consistently harness the attacking talent available to them, including Osimhen and Lookman, who have excelled at club level but have occasionally struggled to replicate that form in the national team shirt.
Oliseh further observed that Morocco’s success at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, where they became the first African nation to reach the semi-finals, has set a new standard for the continent. He argued that other African teams, including Nigeria, must learn from Morocco’s blueprint of tactical organisation, team spirit, and disciplined defending.
Football analysts have noted that the comparison between Morocco’s attack and Nigeria’s forwards is not entirely straightforward. Morocco’s system under coach Walid Regragui prioritises collective pressing and defensive transitions over individual flair. The team’s attacking output is distributed across multiple players rather than relying on a single goal scorer.
Meanwhile, Nigerian fans have expressed mixed feelings about Oliseh’s remarks. Some take pride in the recognition of their players’ abilities on the international stage, while others question the wisdom of speculating about hypothetical results. A segment of supporters also called on the Nigeria Football Federation to invest more in coaching and infrastructure to ensure that the Super Eagles fulfil their potential.
As Morocco continues its preparations for future tournaments, including the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and the next World Cup cycle, Oliseh’s comments serve as both a compliment to Moroccan football and a reminder of the attacking firepower that exists elsewhere on the continent. For now, the debate over what could have been will continue to rage across social media, fan forums, and radio call-in shows.
