Odegbami to Siasia: ‘Dont accept Super Eagles job’

Samson Siasia, who has recently concluded his five-year FIFA ban, has been linked with a return to coach the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

However, Nigerian football icon Segun Odegbami has advised Siasia against accepting the role, fearing it could tarnish his reputation further.

Odegbami noted that while Siasia was once celebrated for his coaching achievements, including leading Nigeria’s Under-20 and Under-23 teams to significant successes, the risk of failure with the Super Eagles might negatively impact his legacy.

The Super Eagles, under interim management since Finidi George’s resignation in June 2024, are still searching for a permanent coach.

Despite the potential opportunity for Siasia, Odegbami warns that taking the job could add pressure, especially if the team struggles in their upcoming fixtures against Rwanda and Benin Republic in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers.

Odegbami stated, according to the Vanguard, “He was once acknowledged as FIFA’s coach of the year.

“That was when he led Nigeria’s Under-20 to the finals of the World Youth Championship in 2005, the under-23 national team to the finals of the Olympics in 2008, and a third place at the Olympics in 2016.

“In 2019, Samson Siasia was suspended by FIFA for 5 years following unsubstantiated charges of corruption against him. Having served the suspension, he is now free to return to football.

“He may have been pencilled down as part of an interim consortium of coaches headed by the Director of the Technical Department of the NFF, Austin Eguavoen, to handle the Super Eagles should a foreign coach not be hired in the next week.

“That arrangement is laden with danger for Samson. Should the team fail to win, his name will be added to those of other ‘failed’ Nigerian coaches, and the door to a future as head of the Super Eagles will be slammed in his face,” Odegbami said.