Sports
‘My father played cricket for Nigeria’ – French football star Michael Olise reveals
France and Bayern Munich forward, Michael Olise, has sparked fresh interest among football fans after it emerged that his father, Vincent Olise, was a former Nigerian international cricketer.
According to The Sun Sport, Vincent Olise represented Nigeria in international cricket between 1983 and 1993, long before his son rose to global prominence in football.
The revelation comes as Michael Olise continues to impress for France at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where he has established himself as one of Didier Deschamps’ key players in Les Bleus’ quest for another world title.
Vincent Olise, now 66, featured for Lagos State, Foundations Cricket Club, and the Nigerian national cricket team during his playing career.
One of his most memorable achievements came during the West African Quadrangular Tournament against Gambia, where he reportedly claimed 10 wickets in a single innings, equalling a record previously held by Chris Enahoro.
Michael Olise has previously spoken about his father’s influence on his life and revealed that cricket remains one of the sports he enjoys outside football.
Although eligible to represent France, England, Nigeria, or Algeria through his family background, the 24-year-old ultimately chose to play international football for France, where he has become one of the country’s brightest young stars.

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