Former Super Eagles forward, Samson Siasia, has revealed the reason behind his temporary exclusion from the national team during his playing career.
Describing it as one of the toughest periods he experienced in football, Siasia explained that his removal was linked to an incident where he refused to pass the ball to teammate Rashidi Yekini.
Siasia, a member of Nigeria’s 1994 Africa Cup of Nations-winning squad, was reflecting on the Super Eagles’ golden era between 1990 and 1998.
Speaking with Emmanuel Babayaro on UTVAfrica, Siasia defended his decision during the match, saying it was reasonable not to pass to Yekini, claiming the striker had earlier wasted several opportunities he had created.
He recounted the incident during a 1994 World Cup qualifier held at the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny in Abidjan, where Nigeria faced Ivory Coast.
In a crucial moment, Siasia opted to take a shot himself rather than pass to Yekini, who was in a better position to score.
That decision was viewed by then-head coach Clemens Westerhof as an act of selfishness, which led to Siasia being dropped from the squad.
“I am a striker. Rashidi Yekini won’t give me that ball if it was him, that’s the truth,” he said.
“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.
“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 into the team. Trying times are always there to make you stronger.
“A lot of people talked about why I didn’t pass the ball to Rashidi Yekini. The one I passed to him he couldn’t even score too, so things happen, we don’t take it personal.”
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