Siasia: I broke my leg for Nigeria

by Staff Reporter

Monday Jun 28, 2021. 15:00

Legendary Nigerian striker Samson Siasia has slammed the country’s government for abandoning their legends in their time of need.

The 53-year-old was a Super Eagles player between 1984 and 1999 and he helped the team clinch the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title in Tunisia.

Siasia was also a member of the Nigerian team that won bronze at the 1992 AFCON finals in Senegal.

However, the former Nantes FC star, who plied his trade in Belgium, Portugal, Saudi Arabia and Israel during his playing days, feels neglected by his own country.

“I am a legend, I have played, broke my leg for this country, and also coached,” Siasia said on AllAfrica.

“If I played for America – yes I have an American passport but I played for Nigeria – if I was like Michael Jordan, [the American government] would take it upon themselves.

“The Nigerian government has not done well when it comes to my case.”

The Nigerian government recently approved the promise made of rewarding the 1994 Super Eagles squad with houses.

However, Siasia feels that is not enough and the country’s state president Mahammadu Bahari should be approached on issues affecting former players.

“Now they said they gave us houses after 27 years, are we supposed to be jumping up?” Siasia asked a question.

“I am not happy, I don’t know if [President] Buhari does not watch TV or does not know what is going on, or if [Sports Minister Sunday Dare] is afraid to approach him.

“He is a person, you can approach him if things like this happen.”

Siasia scored 17 goals for Nigeria in 51 international matches.