This Article Was Last Updated: August 7, 2026 by Oseg Hale
Sunday Ogochukwu Oliseh is a Nigerian former footballer, coach and football analyst who captained the Super Eagles and played for European clubs including Ajax, Juventus and Borussia Dortmund. This Sunday Oliseh biography covers his age, state of origin, family, wife, children, net worth, salary, playing career, coaching career and IFAB appointment.
Born on 14 September 1974 in Abavo, Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State, Oliseh became one of Nigeria’s most respected midfielders. He won the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations, helped Nigeria claim Olympic football gold in 1996 and scored the famous long-range goal that defeated Spain at the 1998 FIFA World Cup.
After retiring as a player in 2006, Oliseh moved into coaching and later joined the International Football Association Board (IFAB) Football Advisory Panel.
Sunday Oliseh Net Worth and Salary
Sunday Oliseh’s exact net worth has not been officially revealed. Different online estimates place his wealth at different figures, with many reports placing it between US$4 million and US$6 million.
His earnings came from his football career, coaching roles, football analysis, consultancy work and other professional activities.
During his playing career, Oliseh represented clubs in Belgium, Italy, Germany and the Netherlands. His career included spells with RFC Liège, Reggiana, 1. FC Köln, Ajax, Juventus, Borussia Dortmund, VfL Bochum and Genk.
While managing the Super Eagles, Oliseh said he earned ₦5 million monthly as Nigeria head coach. After leaving the role in February 2016, he stated that the Nigeria Football Federation owed him about US$26,000 in unpaid wages.
Earlier in his career, Oliseh revealed that his first professional contract at RFC Liège was worth US$1,000 per month, although deductions reduced his monthly payment to about US$750.
Sunday Oliseh Early Life, Age, State of Origin, Tribe and Religion
Sunday Ogochukwu Oliseh was born on 14 September 1974 in Abavo, Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria. He is 51 years old in 2025.
Abavo is located in the Anioma region of Delta State. Oliseh has stated that he does not identify as Igbo, although Anioma communities share historical and cultural links with Igbo-speaking areas.
He grew up in a Catholic Christian family. His mother is a devoted Catholic, while his father worked as an accountant.
Oliseh is the second son in a family of seven children. He developed an interest in football at an early age and became known for his passing ability, tactical awareness and composure in midfield.
Although he mainly played as a defensive midfielder, he also featured as a central midfielder and centre-back during his career.
Sunday Oliseh Football Career
Sunday Oliseh began his football development with Julius Berger in Nigeria before moving to Belgium, where he continued his progress at RFC Lüttich.
He started his senior career with RFC Liège in 1991 and spent 15 years playing professionally across Europe. He made 321 league appearances and scored 18 goals before retiring in 2006.
Club Career Statistics
| Club | Years | League Appearances | Goals |
| RFC Liège | 1991–1994 | 75 | 3 |
| Reggiana | 1994–1995 | 29 | 1 |
| 1. FC Köln | 1995–1997 | 54 | 4 |
| Ajax | 1997–1999 | 54 | 8 |
| Juventus | 1999–2000 | 8 | 0 |
| Borussia Dortmund | 2000–2005 | 53 | 1 |
| VfL Bochum (loan) | 2003–2004 | 32 | 1 |
| Genk | 2005–2006 | 16 | 0 |
| Total | — | 321 | 18 |
Sunday Oliseh Club Career
Sunday Oliseh built his professional football career across Belgium, Italy, Germany and the Netherlands before retiring in 2006. He started with RFC Liège in Belgium in 1991, where he made 75 league appearances and scored three goals.
His performances earned him a move to Reggiana in Italy during the 1994–95 Serie A season. He later joined 1. FC Köln in Germany, making 54 league appearances and scoring four goals before Ajax signed him in 1997.
At Ajax, Oliseh reached some of the highest points of his club career. He played 54 league matches, scored eight goals and won the 1997–98 Eredivisie title and KNVB Cup.
In 1999, he moved to Juventus but struggled for regular playing time, making eight Serie A appearances before leaving the club. Borussia Dortmund signed him in 2000, where he featured in 53 Bundesliga matches and won the 2001–02 Bundesliga title.
During the 2003–04 season, Oliseh joined VfL Bochum on loan and made 32 league appearances. He later returned to Belgium with Genk, where he played 16 matches before retiring from professional football in 2006.
Club Career Statistics
| Club | Years | League Appearances | Goals |
| RFC Liège | 1991–1994 | 75 | 3 |
| Reggiana | 1994–1995 | 29 | 1 |
| 1. FC Köln | 1995–1997 | 54 | 4 |
| Ajax | 1997–1999 | 54 | 8 |
| Juventus | 1999–2000 | 8 | 0 |
| Borussia Dortmund | 2000–2005 | 53 | 1 |
| VfL Bochum (loan) | 2003–2004 | 32 | 1 |
| Genk | 2005–2006 | 16 | 0 |
| Total | — | 321 | 18 |
Sunday Oliseh Super Eagles Career
Sunday Oliseh represented Nigeria between 1993 and 2002, earning 54 official senior caps and scoring four goals.
He made his debut on 24 July 1993 in Nigeria’s 6–0 victory over Ethiopia and became an important part of the team that won the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations.
During the tournament, Oliseh featured as Nigeria defeated Zambia 2–1 in the final to claim the country’s second AFCON title. Later that year, he represented Nigeria at the 1994 FIFA World Cup, where the team reached the Round of 16 after victories over Bulgaria and Greece.
In 1996, Oliseh helped Nigeria win its first Olympic football gold medal in Atlanta. Two years later, he played at the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France and scored a memorable long-range goal in Nigeria’s 3–2 win over Spain.
The midfielder remained part of the national team until the 2002 Africa Cup of Nations. He later retired from international football after disagreements with the Nigeria Football Federation.
Sunday Oliseh Coaching Career
After retiring as a player in 2006, Sunday Oliseh moved into management and earned his UEFA Pro Licence.
He started coaching at RCS Verviers in Belgium, working with the club’s youth teams before taking charge of the senior side during the 2008–09 season. He later managed RCS Visé during the 2014–15 season before receiving his biggest coaching appointment.
The Nigeria Football Federation appointed Oliseh as Super Eagles head coach in July 2015. During his tenure, Nigeria played 14 matches, qualified for the 2016 African Nations Championship and began the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign.
Oliseh resigned on 26 February 2016, citing unpaid wages, contract issues and a lack of support from the federation.
After leaving Nigeria, he became head coach of Fortuna Sittard in the Netherlands in December 2016. He guided the club towards promotion and won the Eerste Divisie Coach of the Year award in 2017 before leaving in February 2018.
In June 2022, Oliseh returned to management with German club SV Straelen. He resigned in August 2022 after a difficult start to the season.
He has since focused on football analysis, media work and advisory roles.
Sunday Oliseh Family, Wife, Children and Personal Life
Sunday Oliseh keeps details about his personal life private, but some information about his wife, children and family background is known.
Oliseh is married to Hafida Oliseh, also spelled Hafidah Oliseh. She was born in Belgium and has Moroccan heritage. During the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Oliseh said his wife is “100% Moroccan even though she was born in Belgium” while supporting Morocco during the tournament.
The couple have two children: Denzel Oliseh and Shanice Oliseh. In October 2024, Oliseh celebrated Denzel’s graduation with a Master’s degree in Social Sciences from the Université Libre de Bruxelles.
Beyond his immediate family, Oliseh comes from a football family in Delta State. He is the second of seven children, with six brothers and one sister.
His elder brother, Churchill Oliseh, is a football manager and founded FC Ebedei, a club linked with the development of Nigerian players such as Obafemi Martins. His brothers Azubuike Oliseh and Egutu Oliseh also played professional football.
Sunday’s sister, Tessy Oliseh Amaize, studied fashion design in the United Kingdom and runs a fashion business in Nigeria. His nephew, Sekou Oliseh, the son of Churchill Oliseh, is also involved in football.
In June 2025, the family mourned the death of Uche Levi Oliseh, Sunday’s younger brother, who died at the age of 51 after an illness.
Is Michael Olise Related to Sunday Oliseh?
No. Michael Olise and Sunday Oliseh are not related.
The similar surnames have created speculation, but the two footballers come from different families. Michael Olise is the son of Vincent Olise and a French-Algerian mother, while Sunday Oliseh comes from Abavo in Delta State, Nigeria.
There is no known family relationship between them.
Sunday Oliseh Houses, Cars and Assets
Sunday Oliseh has not released a complete list of his properties, vehicles or personal assets.
During his time as Super Eagles head coach in 2015, the Nigeria Football Federation provided him with a 2015 Nissan Altima.
Some reports have linked Oliseh with other houses and cars, but he has not confirmed ownership of those assets. His earnings from professional football, coaching and football analysis have contributed to his financial position.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Sunday Oliseh?
Sunday Oliseh is a former Nigerian midfielder who captained the Super Eagles and later coached the national team. He played for European clubs including Ajax, Juventus and Borussia Dortmund and won the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations and 1996 Olympic football gold medal with Nigeria.
How old is Sunday Oliseh?
Sunday Oliseh is 51 years old in 2025. He was born on 14 September 1974 in Abavo, Delta State, Nigeria.
What position did Sunday Oliseh play?
Sunday Oliseh played mainly as a defensive midfielder and also featured as a central midfielder and centre-back.
How many caps did Sunday Oliseh have for Nigeria?
Sunday Oliseh made 54 official senior appearances for Nigeria between 1993 and 2002 and scored four goals.
What is Sunday Oliseh famous for?
Sunday Oliseh is famous for his long-range goal against Spain during Nigeria’s 3–2 win at the 1998 FIFA World Cup.
What is Sunday Oliseh’s net worth?
Sunday Oliseh is worth between US$4 million and US$6 million.
How much was Sunday Oliseh’s salary as Super Eagles coach?
Sunday Oliseh said he earned ₦5 million monthly while managing Nigeria’s Super Eagles.
Why did Sunday Oliseh leave the Super Eagles?
Sunday Oliseh resigned in February 2016 and cited unpaid wages, contract issues and a lack of support from the Nigeria Football Federation.
What is Sunday Oliseh doing now?
Sunday Oliseh works as a football analyst and serves on the IFAB Football Advisory Panel.
Conclusion
Sunday Oliseh’s career covered Nigerian football development, European club football, international success and coaching. He represented clubs across Belgium, Italy, Germany and the Netherlands before moving into management with the Super Eagles and teams in Europe.
This biography covered Sunday Oliseh’s age, Delta State origin, family, wife, children, football career, Super Eagles record, coaching career, salary, net worth and IFAB role.
His achievements with Nigeria, including the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations title, 1996 Olympic gold medal and 1998 World Cup goal against Spain, remain key moments in his football career.
