‘They had to kick me out of the team’ - Siasia explains reason for his dismissal from Super Eagles team

The Super Eagles legend was dismissed from the Nigerian national team by the head coach during a 1994 World Cup qualifier against Ivory Coast in Abidjan. 

Siasia chose to shoot instead of passing to a better-positioned Yekini, squandering a crucial scoring opportunity.

The decision, which head coach Clemens Westerhof deemed selfish, resulted in Siasia being dropped from the Super Eagles for the remainder of the qualifying campaign.

Siasia also spoke candidly about his on-field relationship with the late Rashidi Yekini, Nigeria's all-time leading goalscorer.

Recalling the infamous moment, he explained his mindset, "I am a striker. Rashidi Yekini wouldn't give me that ball if it was him, that's the truth," Siasia told Emmanuel Babayaro on UTVAfrica

"Sometimes you miss, sometimes you score. Rashidi has been one of the greatest strikers I have ever played with. May his soul rest in peace.

"My downtimes? The first was when I didn't pass the ball to Rashidi Yekini and they had to kick me out of the team. I had to hustle my way back. Trying times are always there to make you stronger."

"A lot of people talked about why I didn't pass the ball to Rashidi Yekini. The one I did pass to him, he couldn't even score either, so things happen. We don't take it personally."