Two-time Olympic medal winner and former Super Eagles coach Samson Siasia has put pen to paper to express his feelings after serving a FIFA-imposed five-year ban for a match-fixing scandal.
Initially, the ban was a lifetime ban, which was later changed to a five-year ban by the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) in 2019.
Now free to return to coaching, the former Eagles coach is ready to get back into the game and improve on his knowledge about football during the ban.
The Pain and Resilience of Siasia’s Journey
Addressing fans and well-wishers of the Siaone Soccer Academy in Abuja as per the Premium Times, courtesy of the Nigerian Football Association, the former eagles coach was candid enough to admit this particular five-year period was one of the most difficult.
He said that the ban was a surprise to him and a devastating event. He said he was charged, investigated, and sentenced without his knowledge of the entire process.
“I was never informed that I was under investigation over any allegation against me. I did not have the chance to defend myself for one second before I was banned.
“I was prevented from fully practicing my only profession, the game of football.
Nevertheless, the feeling did not make Siasia change his mind for football, as he was determined to continue with his passion even if the ban was against it.
Bringing Increased Relevance and Passion for Nigerian Football
The former eagles coach further allays the fears of his fans by stating that the ban did not in any way alienate him from the game he holds dear.
In a recent report from Sportsbuddy, Samson Siasia has open up on his disagreement with Mikel Obi.
However, he managed to make optimum use of the time, mastering additional knowledge and maintaining his bond with football.
‘For the past five years, I did not waste my time in either laziness or in mourning,’ Siasia said to emphasise his commitment to his coaching ethos as well as his eagerness to help Nigerian football restore its dominance in the world.
When he is back to full football activities, Siasia remains focused to trudge on with the next phase of his career as he has been for his 25 years of coaching.
