How My Players Washed Same Jerseys Throughout the Olympics - Coach Siasia Makes More Revelations
Coach Samson Siasia has said that his Olympic team used one set of
Jersey through out the African Championship in Senegal and preparation
for the Olympics.
Samson Siasia
Speaking with Punch Newspaper in an exclusive interview, coach of
the Bronze-winning under-23 team, Samson Siasia, has said that the team
used one set of Jersey through out the African Championship in Senegal
and preparation for the Olympics.
The coach who described the period as the most difficult of his
career, also revealed how he begged for the team not to be thrown out of
a hotel in Atlanta, USA during the camping for the Games.
He said: “I think it’s the most difficult ever; my mum was
kidnapped and we managed to win the African championship in Senegal.
When things like these happen, all I’m saying is that they should
appreciate someone that sacrificed everything that ensured this country
got to the Olympics.”
Siasia pointed out that he and his players went through a difficult
time during preparations for the Olympics in Brazil and were not
encouraged by the sports handlers in the country.
“I saw on social media an NFF official saying he wants to
destroy Samson Siasia’s career. Is that how you appreciate people? What
have I done that anyone wants to destroy my career? All I did was to
sacrifice everything I had. (Segun) Oduduwa got injured, I paid from my
purse; it’s my money.
“And, it’s not just for one or two players. We didn’t have
water to drink; we found a way to get water to drink because we wanted
to make sure the players were perfect.
“They wanted to kick us out of the hotel, I begged the woman in
the hotel so that we could stay before we got our tickets to travel. Is
that how you treat someone that’s sacrificed everything he has for the
country? I don’t think that’s right.”
He said his players had to wash and wear same set of jerseys for two years.
“We used one set of jerseys for matches throughout the competition because we didn’t have any other set of jerseys. We played with one set of jerseys in Senegal (African U-23 championship) to qualify (for the Olympics).
“There are people that are wicked; they don’t see any good
thing that comes out of your dedication and commitment towards trying to
ensure that the country gets something back.
“Look at the final of the Olympics, after Brazil and Germany, the Nigerian flag was next. That means we’ve done well. The
colours there were green, white, and green. I know Nigerians were happy
about that and I thank them for their support – it was overwhelming.”
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