Siasia eyes return to coaching as FIFA ban nears end

Former Super Eagles coach Samson Siasia is considering returning to football management and is reportedly eyeing an offer to become the head coach of a second-tier, Nigeria National League (NNL), Mighty Jets.

Siasia will be free to return to coaching at the end of August when the ban imposed on him by the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) expires.

Siaisia was initially handed a life ban by FIFA over alleged match-fixing allegations in August 2019, however, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) reduced the ban to five years in June 2021.

Mighty Jets, a Jos-based football club have reportedly offered Siasia N10 million annual salary, and the 56- year-old has expressed interest in accepting the offer, according to SoccernetNg.

“I can confirm that Mighty Jets have tabled an offer to the coach (Samson Siasia), and the coach appears willing and interested in taking the job,” as quoted by SoccernetNg.

The offer from Mighty Jets presents an opportunity for Siasia to re-establish himself in Nigerian football and make a significant impact at the domestic level.

Siasia, while in charge of Nigeria’s U20 football team, won the African Youth Championship in 2005, leading the same side to the final of the 2005 U-20 World Cup in The Netherlands.

The former Nantes striker won Olympic silver and bronze medals while in charge of the U-23 team in 2008 and 2016, respectively.

Recall that the 56-year-old was appointed Super Eagles coach in 2010 and was in charge for one year before his reappointment in 2016.

Siasia featured in 51 international matches for the Super Eagles, netting thirteen goals. He notably contributed to Nigeria’s success in the 1994 FIFA World Cup and their triumph in the 1994 African Nations Cup.

Additionally, he was part of the squad that secured bronze at the 1992 African Nations Cup in Senegal. Over 11 years, Siasia played a significant role in the national team, earning recognition as the third-highest scorer in Nigeria’s history.