Siasia Reveals Why He Was Kicked Out of Super Eagles Squad
Former Super Eagles striker, Samson Siasia, has opened up on a painful episode in his international career — when he was dropped from the Nigerian team for refusing to pass the ball to the late Rashidi Yekini.
Siasia, who was part of the golden generation that won the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations, recalled the incident during an interview with Emmanuel Babayaro on UTVAfrica. He explained that the fallout happened during a 1994 World Cup qualifier against Ivory Coast in Abidjan, where he opted to shoot instead of passing to Yekini, who was in a better position.
According to him, then head coach Clemens Westerhof interpreted the move as selfish play and consequently dropped him from the squad.
“I am a striker. Rashidi Yekini won’t give me that ball if it was him, that’s the truth. Sometimes you miss, sometimes you score. Rashidi has been one of the greatest strikers ever I have played with. May his soul rest in peace,” Siasia said.
The former Super Eagles forward admitted it was one of the lowest points in his career, but one that made him fight harder to reclaim his place in the team.
“My downtimes? First was when I didn’t pass the ball to Rashidi Yekini and they had to kick me out of the team and I had to hustle myself back. Trying times are always there to make you stronger. A lot of people talked about why I didn’t pass to him. The one I passed, he couldn’t even score too — so things happen, we don’t take it personal,” he added.
Siasia, who later transitioned into coaching and managed the Super Eagles at different times, hailed Yekini as one of the greatest strikers Nigeria ever produced.
