Former Nigerian international footballer, Samson Siasia, has opened up about his coaching tenure with the U20 team, shedding light on the challenges he faced and the personal investments he made in the development and welfare of the players.
During his tenure as coach of the U20 team, Siasia achieved remarkable success, including winning the African Youth Championship in 2005 and leading the team to the final of the 2005 U-20 World Cup in The Netherlands. Additionally, he guided the U-23 team to Olympic silver and bronze medals in 2008 and 2016, respectively.
Speaking to journalists, Siasia candidly revealed the hardships encountered while coaching the U20 team, emphasizing the scarcity of resources and support compared to coaching the senior national team, the Super Eagles.
Despite the challenges, Siasia demonstrated extraordinary dedication to the welfare of his players, often going above and beyond to ensure their well-being. He disclosed how he personally invested in the players’ needs, including purchasing essential items such as toothpaste and brushes, and providing financial support, such as giving each player $100 from his own pocket during travels.
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