Coach Samson Siasia has expressed that he feels revitalized and ready to pursue his lifelong passion for coaching, now that he has resumed full-scale football activities.
Siasia, a distinguished former Super Eagles player and coach, recently completed a ban imposed by FIFA over a match-fixing allegation.
Initially handed a lifetime ban, the penalty was reduced to five years by the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) in 2019.
Speaking at an event organized by friends and supporters of the Siaone Soccer Academy to celebrate his return to football on Saturday in Abuja, Siasia shared his experience.
He acknowledged that the past five years had been extremely challenging, filled with moments of pain and emotional distress.
Siasia described the ban as a shocking and devastating experience, stating it was for an offense he did not commit.
He explained that he had been charged, investigated, tried, and sentenced without his knowledge.
“I was never informed that I was under investigation over any allegation against me.
“I did not have the chance to defend myself for one second before I was banned.
“I was prevented from fully practicing my only profession, the game of football.
“But I thank God that the night is over, the day is here at last and I am free again to practice my profession with my usual honesty and sincerity of character.
“In my over 25 years of coaching career, I have jealously guarded and maintained my principles and character with utmost uncompromising sincerity.
“I have never and will never partake in bribery, corruption and dirty deals of any sorts,” Siasia said.
The 57-year-old coach emphasized his deep connection to football, stating that despite the ban, he remained committed to expanding his knowledge of the game.
He expressed that his sole ambition is to see Nigeria succeed and reclaim its rightful place among the top football-playing nations in the world.
“I wish to inform my supporters across Nigerians and beyond that I did not spend the last five years in idleness or lamentation.
“Not one day out of the 1,826 days was wasted in agony or hopelessness.
“It was a period of serious reflection and painstaking updating and close appraisal and reappraisal of the dynamics of the game of my youth and adulthood.
“Today, I am back more resolved, more determined, more committed and unbowed. For five years, I was down, but I am certainly not out because it is not over.
“I am returning to the game renewed and prepared to continue with my lifetime passion,” he said.
Siasia conveyed his gratitude to everyone who supported him during his difficult times, including his family, fans, and sports journalists for their solidarity.
He also thanked the committee of friends and the parents of Siaone Soccer Academy for organizing the event in his honor.
