I Was Kicked Out Of Super Eagles For Not Passing To Yekini, But He Also Missed Chances – Siasia
I Was Kicked Out Of Super Eagles For Not Passing To Yekini, But He Also Missed Chances – Siasia
Former Super Eagles striker Samson Siasia has opened up on one of the most challenging periods of his playing career, revealing why he was temporarily dropped from the national team, according to Daily Post on Wednesday, September 24, 2025
Siasia’s exclusion came after he chose not to pass the ball to Rashidi Yekini during a 1994 World Cup qualifier against Ivory Coast in Abidjan, opting instead to take a shot himself. The then national team coach, Clemens Westerhof, considered this decision selfish, which led to Siasia being removed from the squad.
During an interview with Emmanuel Babayaro on UTVAfrica, Siasia explained that the experience was a crucial lesson in resilience, highlighting that difficult moments are part of every player’s journey. He stressed that the decision was not personal and pointed out that even when he passed to Yekini, the striker sometimes failed to convert chances.
Siasia reflected on the golden generation of the Super Eagles between 1990 and 1998, a period when Nigeria dominated African football. He acknowledged Yekini as one of the nation’s greatest strikers and explained that their on-field partnership could be challenging at times due to both players’ hunger for goals. The temporary exclusion from the national team ultimately strengthened Siasia’s character and contributed to his later success as both a player and a coach.
