Nigerian coach, Samson Siasia was banned by world football governing body, FIFA in August 2019, following a match-fixing allegation
By Kehinde Okeowo
Former Nantes striker, Samson Siasia has faulted the decision of Super Eagles gaffers to name some players who were not part of the initial qualifier in the 32-man squad list for this month’s 2022 World Cup playoffs against Ghana.
Last Friday, interim coach Austine Eguavoen released the names of the 25 players invited for the two-legged encounter and placed seven others on standby.
Ademola Lookman and Akinkunmi Amoo who got a maiden call-up and long term injury absentee Oghenekaro Etebo all made the cut, likewise, Ogenyi Onazi, who has not played for Nigeria in over two years, was on the standby list.
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Siasia who found it amusing that the new handlers of the Super Eagles were inviting some players, who were not part of those who qualified for the playoff, knocked the decision.
The 54-year-old tactician argued that the encounter against the Black Stars is too close to begin to experiment. He also added that it would be difficult for new players to blend with the old ones, given the time available.
He said, ” For me, it’s not the right decision to bring new players, you are better off with the ones you know already that have been playing together and understand themselves because you have three days to practice before you go to Ghana. So, for me, this is not the right list.
“You need to play people that understand themselves. If you bring new ones, it becomes difficult for them to understand themselves and play the partner you want to play”
Samson Siasia donned the Super Eagles jersey between 1984 and 1999, scoring a total of 16 goals in 52 appearances.
He was also the head coach of the Nigeria national team between 2010 to October 2011, before he was once again reappointed in 2016.
On 16 August 2019, world football governing body, FIFA banned Siasia from the game for life, following a match-fixing investigation.
On an appeal, the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland upheld his conviction and fine on June 21, 2021, but reduced the ban to five years.
