Samson Siasia has completed a five-year ban imposed on him by FIFA over match-fixing allegations.
In 2010, a match-fixer tried to involve Siasia as a club coach under his control, offering employment benefits in exchange for fielding specific players.
Although negotiations took place over two months, the club ultimately declined or could not afford Siasia’s requests, ending the matter.
The world football governing body initially handed Siasia a lifetime ban.
However, the former Super Eagles player and coach took the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sports, CAS, where it was eventually reduced.
CAS deemed a life ban excessive for a first-time offender who was passive in the offence.
However, they insisted Siasia needed to be punished to serve as a deterrent.
Siasia has probably learnt his lessons and is back in football.
Rumours have been circulating about Siasia’s potential appointment as the Mighty Jets Football Club next coach in Jos.
But has his reputation suffered irreparable damage?
Oluwashina Okeleji, who works with the BBC, says: “well, I think when you have issues around bribery and reputational damage, it will definitely have its effect and negative impact around you.
“So I think a lot of people will still view him as undoubtedly one of the best youth coaches in the continent.
“The emphasis is on youth coaches. Siasia has achieved success with the Under-20 and Under-23 teams.
“It is something you can never overlook. He completed Nigeria’s medal haul in Olympics football with silver and bronze. So that tells its own story.
“The case itself. It was not a story of someone who offered or accepted to do what the guy accused him of doing. But the fact that he encouraged the conversation and he didn’t dismiss the intention to offer him anything.
“It added question marks around his personality as a coach. So, some people will be careful if such a person can be trusted. In life, they say everyone who has served terms, should be given a chance. It’s just a lot people don’t forget and can be unforgiving.
“But he needs to be given a chance and he should tread carefully, one step at a time. You don’t just come out from nowhere and say I want this as soon as possible. That for me will rank as entitlement. Everyone has to work their way back and he deserves a chance.”
It was reported that even while he was serving the suspension, Siasia’s name came up as one of the possible replacements for Finidi George, who resigned as the head coach of the Super Eagles.
Okeleji had advised Siasia, who is now 57 years, to work on himself and make the step up in tactics and management of players.
“There is no doubt about his ability as a manager,” he notes.
“Unfortunately, the records are there. As coach of the Super Eagles, he failed to qualify them for the 2012 edition of the African Cup of Nations (in Gabon & Equatorial Guinea).
“And when he came in as caretaker manager, the team failed to make it to another AFCON under his watch.
“Those are things people need to know.
“No doubt, he sets up his team well and they are enjoyable to watch, because they play good football. People enjoy his tactics and how he controls things.
“But it is just his ability to get a team at senior level. In my opinion, I think Samson Siasia became a victim of his own success.
“Not every coach who succeeds at youth level can translate it to senior level. But there is now an opportunity for him to grow, to learn and acquire badges.
“Also, apart from the knowledge of the game, man management is something Siasia needs to work on.
“There is a lot for him to do. Even Pep Guardiola is also changing and tweaking.
“I have a problem with the class of ’94. They are always comparing and talking about their time. But during their time, goalkeepers were catching back passes! Things have changed. Football has evolved. So as a manager, you have to learn a lot.
“And I don’t think that during his time out, Siasia tried to improve himself. He was just going saying ‘I am innocent’ and ‘people need to help me’.
“I don’t think FIFA banned him from learning. He just spent most of the last five years trying to fight, instead of improving his skills.”
