Joel Ajayi
Coach 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.
It will be recalled 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 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”.
