Former Gernot Rohr has disclosed that Bayern Munich star Michael Olise turned down the opportunity to represent Nigeria as far back as 2019, despite efforts by the then Super Eagles coaching team to convince him.
Rohr, who managed the Nigeria national football team from 2016 to 2021, said the winger was identified early during his time at Reading FC in England, but declined Nigeria’s invitation after careful consideration of his international future.
According to Rohr, he and his assistant Tunde Adelakun personally monitored Olise during his development in England and attempted to persuade him to switch allegiance, but the player was already focused on representing France.
Olise, born in England to a British Nigerian father and a French Algerian mother, later committed to France national football team, progressing through their youth system before elishing himself in the senior squad.
Rohr noted that even at a young age, Olise showed exceptional talent and clarity about his international ambitions, making it difficult for Nigeria to secure his commitment.
Since then, Olise has risen to prominence in European football, especially after his move to Bayern Munich in 2024, where he has become a key ing figure alongside Harry Kane.
Former Super Eagles captain Sunday Oliseh also expressed regret over Nigeria’s inability to secure the player, describing Olise as a world class talent capable of competing for major individual awards in football.
Olise has since earned multiple caps for France and is expected to play a significant role for Les Bleus at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a tournament Nigeria will not feature in after failing to qualify.
The revelation adds to ongoing discussions about Nigeria’s challenges in attracting elite dual nationality players amid intense competition from European national teams.
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