Speaking on the Abu Azeez Podcast, Salami recounted the incident that left him disillusioned with the national setup and ultimately led to his abrupt exit from camp.
According to the former Shooting Stars striker, he needed just one more match to meet the 70% national team appearance requirement for a UK work permit. His agent, he said, informed Oliseh about the opportunity and pleaded for him to be fielded.
However, Salami claimed the coach refused to play him despite his role as captain of the CHAN Eagles at the time.
“I told him this was a lifetime opportunity for me,” Salami recalled. “But I realized he was trying to spoil the move.”
He further alleged that Oliseh—who was reportedly having issues with stars such as Emmanuel Emenike and Vincent Enyeama—grouped him with those players and labelled him “rude.”
Feeling unfairly treated and watching his hopes for an English contract slip away, Salami said he decided to leave the camp in frustration.
“I just packed my bag and left. It was painful because I knew what that chance meant for my career,” he said.
Salami, known for his physicality and attacking presence during his spells with Shooting Stars and Warri Wolves, represented Nigeria at both senior and CHAN levels, earning recognition for his commitment and intensity on the pitch.