Samson Siasia Opens Up on Sad Moment Clemens Westerhof Kicked Him Out of the Super Eagles
- Samson Siasia has recalled the painful 1994 moment he was dropped from the Super Eagles squad by coach Clemens Westerhof
- The former Nantes striker was kicked out of the national team after failing to pass to Rashidi Yekini in a crucial qualifier
- Siasia scored 13 goals in 51 appearances for the Super Eagles and later managed Nigeria’s national teams
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Former Super Eagles player Samson Siasia has revisited one of the most difficult chapters of his football career.
The moment coach Clemens Westerhof dropped him from the national team after a costly decision in a World Cup qualifier.
Source: Getty Images
The incident happened during Nigeria’s 1994 World Cup qualifier against Ivory Coast in Abidjan, where Siasia found himself in a key position but chose to shoot instead of passing to strike partner Rashidi Yekini, who was better placed.
The chance went begging, and Nigeria failed to score the particular opportunity, much to the dismay of the then head coach, Westerhof.
For Westerhof, it was an unforgivable mistake, and the Dutch coach immediately dropped Siasia from the Super Eagles squad for the remainder of the qualifiers.
Siasia opens up on sad moment
Speaking about the moment, Siasia said:
“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 I have ever played with. May his soul rest in peace.”
Being sidelined did not mark the end of Siasia’s national team career. Instead, it became a turning point.
Source: Getty Images
Determined to prove himself, Siasia worked his way back into the national team through hard work and resilience.
Reflecting on the experience, he said:
“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.”
Siasia also reminded fans that football is unpredictable.
“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.”
According to DAILY POST, the 1994 AFCON winner eventually returned to the Super Eagles setup and went on to feature in the 1994 FIFA World Cup, playing a key role in what many consider Nigeria’s golden generation.
Siasia’s legacy for Nigeria
Siasia ended his international career with 51 appearances and 13 goals, becoming Nigeria’s third-highest goal scorer at the time.
He was part of the side that won the 1994 AFCON and the bronze medal at the 1992 edition in Senegal.
After retiring from playing, Siasia went into coaching and managed Nigeria’s U-20 team, U-23 team and the Super Eagles at different points.
His post-playing career, however, hit a setback when FIFA handed him a lifetime ban in 2019 over match-fixing allegations.
After an appeal, the ban was reduced to five years by the Court of Arbitration for Sport in 2021.
Siasia speaks on foreign-born players
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Siasia has opened up about the difference between the Super Eagles team during his time and the current generation, which has more European stars.
Speaking on a podcast with Emmanuel Babayaro, Siasia reflects on the path taken by players of his generation and what the Super Eagles is currently made up of.
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Source: Legit.ng
