Former Super Eagles star, Samson Siasia has revealed why he was temporarily dropped from the national team during his career.
Siasia who won the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria, explained that the reason was his decision not to pass the ball to his teammate, Rashidi Yekini, during a 1994 World Cup qualifier against Ivory Coast.
Speaking in an interview, Siasia recounted the incident, which occurred at Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny in Abidjan.
He said he had created opportunities for Yekini earlier in the game, but the striker failed to capitalize on them.
As a result, Siasia said he decided to shoot instead of passing to Yekini, who was in a better position.
However, the then-national team coach, Clemens Westerhof, viewed Siasia’s actions as selfish and dropped him from the squad.
Siasia reflected on the incident, saying, “I am a striker. Rashidi Yekini won’t give me that ball if it was him, that’s the truth.”
He added that trying times, like being dropped from the team, make you stronger, noting that he eventually worked his way back into the squad.
Siasia also praised Yekini as one of the greatest strikers he had played with, saying, “Rashidi has been one of the greatest strikers ever I have played with. May his soul rest in peace.”
Despite the controversy surrounding the incident, Siasia downplayed the situation, stating;
“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.”
