Samson Siasia, the former coach of the Super Eagles, has expressed his keenness to make a comeback in football following his period of suspension, during which he learned valuable lessons.

In August 2019, FIFA initially imposed a lifetime ban on Siasia, along with a $50,000 fine, after he admitted to his role in match manipulation for betting during an investigation related to attempted match-fixing led by Wilson Perumal in conjunction with the Nigerian coach.

However, later developments resulted in the Court of Arbitration for Sport reducing Siasia’s ban to a five-year suspension in 2021.

As a result of this reduction, his anticipated return date shifted to August 2024.

The former Nigerian international states, “Irrespective of what happened, I have learned my lessons, but FIFA, who initially gave me a life ban in football, could not prove anything wrong with what they claimed I did. But they had to reduce it to a five-year ban, and it will expire next year. I thank God for that.”

“It has been terrible to be away from football for five years, but I am preparing myself to come back to football, so I have to prepare myself so I can start ‘running’ once I resume by next year.”