Samson Siasia, a former coach and striker for the Super Eagles, has disclosed how he was once dismissed from the national team for refusing to pass to Rashidi Yekini.
The incident occurred during a pivotal World Cup qualifying match against the Ivory Coast in Abidjan, according to Samson Siasia, who later became the national team’s coach.
In an interview with Emmanuel Babayaro on UTVAfrica, Siasia said, “It was one of my toughest moments.”
I’m a striker. The fact is, if it were Rashidi Yekini, he wouldn’t give me the ball. Sometimes you score, and other times you miss. One of the best attackers I have ever played with is Rashidi. I hope his soul finds peace.
“My periods of rest? First, I had to hustle myself back when they had to expel me from the team for failing to deliver the ball to Rashidi Yekini.
Siasia clarified that although he had previously generated opportunities that the late striker was unable to finish, he was criticized by many for not providing Yekini with the ball.
“We don’t always score every chance; things happen,” he remarked.
In addition to thinking back on the 1990s golden generation, Siasia focused on the current Super Eagles. He maintained that a large portion of the current team is composed of European-born athletes who chose Nigeria after being passed over for opportunities with other national teams.
“We are bringing in players from Europe to come and play for Nigeria, which is two different things,” he added. “The crop of players we had during that era, 1990-1998, were great players who left the shores of Nigeria, went to Europe, and returned.”
“Great players wouldn’t come if they had the opportunity to play for a European nation. They were born, but we persevered and reached Europe.
Keep in mind that a number of the Super Eagles’ players, like Ola Aina, William Troost-Ekong, Ademola Lookman, and Alex Iwobi, were born in Europe. The aforementioned players have developed into the team’s mainstays.
