Gernot Rohr Reveals Michael Olise Rejected Nigeria Call-Up in 2019

Former Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr has disclosed that Michael Olise turned down the opportunity to represent Nigeria as far back as 2019.

Rohr, who managed the Nigerian national team from 2016 to 2021, said efforts were made to recruit the talented winger during his early days at Reading FC, but the player opted against switching allegiance.

Speaking in a recent interview, Rohr recalled scouting Olise alongside his assistant, Tunde Adelakun, noting that they were impressed by his quality even at a young age.

“In 2019, I saw this player and had a look at him with my assistant, Tunde. We went to watch a match and tried to invite him, but he did not want to join us at the time,” Rohr said.

According to him, Olise had already set his sights on a future in European football and was aware of his eligibility to represent multiple countries.

Olise, who was born in England to a Nigerian father and a French-Algerian mother, eventually chose to represent France, progressing through their youth system before breaking into the senior team.

Since then, the 24-year-old has developed into one of Europe’s top attacking talents, especially after his move to Bayern Munich in 2024, where he has formed a strong partnership with Harry Kane.

Former Super Eagles captain Sunday Oliseh also expressed disappointment over Nigeria missing out on the player, describing him as a top talent who could have strengthened the national team.

“When I see the way Olise plays, I love it. But it gets me angry… he should be wearing the green-white-green jersey of Nigeria,” Oliseh said.

Olise has now established himself as a regular for France, making multiple appearances and scoring key goals for the national team. He is also expected to play a significant role for Les Bleus at the 2026 FIFA World Cup—a tournament Nigeria failed to qualify for.

Rohr’s revelation highlights the ongoing challenge Nigeria faces in securing the commitment of dual-nationality players in global football.