Remilekun Awokoya
Samson Siasia says that he is more renewed and prepared to continue with his lifetime passion of coaching, following his return to full scale football activities.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Siasia, a renowned former Super Eagles player and coach, completed a ban imposed by FIFA for a match-fixing allegation.
Initially a lifetime penalty, it was reduced to five years by the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) in 2019.
Siasia spoke to NAN on the sidelines of an event organised by friends and parents of Siaone Soccer Academy to mark his return to full football activities on Saturday in Abuja.
He admitted that it had been five difficult years of momentary pain and emotional anguish for him.
Siasia said that the ban came as a shock to him and was very devastating, adding that it was over an offence he never committed.
He said that he was 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,” he said.
The 57-year-old tactician, however said that he was inseparable from football, adding that the ban did not forbid him from renewing his knowledge of the game.
He said that his one and only aspiration was to see Nigeria succeed and get back, and reclaim her rightful position among the successful football-playing nations of 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 expressed gratitude to all those who stood by him during his trying moments, including his family, supporters and sports journalists for their solidarity.
He appreciated the committee of friends and parents of Siaone Soccer Academy for hosting the event in his honour.(NAN)