Samson Siasia: Former Super Eagles Handler Narrates Difficulty in Coaching Nigerian Youth Teams

• Samson Siasia says it is very difficult to handle any of the Nigerian national youth teams
• The ex-international was in charge of the Nigeria U20 and U23 teams at different times
• He narrated how he spent his personal funds to ensure the players have the right mentality

Former Super Eagles coach, Samson Siasia, has narrated how difficult it is to handle Nigerian national youth teams.

Siasia, who had 51 caps for the Nigerian senior national team, was in charge of the Nigeria U20 and U23 teams at different times.

He was in charge when Nigeria won the Africa Youth Championship in 2015 before guiding the team to finishing the FIFA U20 World Cup as runners-up.

In 2016, the then-Chelsea midfielder Mikel John Obi coughed up $4,000 of his personal money to ensure that the Nigeria Olympic team did not miss their flight to Salvador, Daily Post reports.

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Reports went viral that the squad were held in Sao Paolo over unpaid bills incurred by additional officials.

Siasia, in the latest ATHLST podcast, lamented that coaching any of the Nigerian youth teams is a herculean task. He said:

"Trust me, the easiest team to coach is the Super Eagles because they will give you everything you need.

"The Under-20s are another problem. If you don't know people who can help you, if you don't start on time, there is no way you can qualify (for the Olympics).

"When it comes to taking care of the players, I spend my own money to make sure those boys are okay.

"Buy them toothpaste, brush - when we travel out, give them $100 from my own pocket."

Siasia denies applying for Super Eagles' job

Sports Brief earlier reported that Samson Siasia says he did not apply to become the next Super Eagles coach after being linked as one of the managers to have applied for the vacant position.

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The Nigeria Football Federation had publicly called for applications for the Super Eagles head coach role after Jose Peseiro's contract expired in February.

Siasia explained that he could not apply for the Super Eagles job as his FIFA ban is yet to expire making him ineligible for the vacant role.