Siasia vows to sack U23 players who offer bribe for shirts

As the battle to make it into the Nigeria U23 team gets more intense, the head coach, Samson Siasia, has sternly warned his players not to make any attempt to offer him bribe because he would only select his final squad based on their talents.

In a chat with the players after the team’s training session on Thursday at the FIFA Goal Project in Abuja, Siasia told the players that money could not buy them a place in the team, but rather talent and discipline will make way for those that deserve.

“Anyone who falls prey to such cheats will be sent out of camp forthwith,” he said. “Do not give money to either my assistants or any agent with the hope of making this team. If I find out, the player(s) will be dismissed from camp. I did not mandate anybody to collect money on my behalf.

“As long as you hold the passport of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, you are eligible to play for this country. I was spotted and selected through this type of process. I’ll also like to give young ones like you the chance to play for our country. It is your country, too.”

He said he was overwhelmed with the turnout of players at the screening exercise.

‎He also stated that there would be no preferential treatment for players coming from overseas over those based at home.

“You can only secure a place in the team with dedication, hard work and discipline. Nobody is superior to another player in this camp,” he affirmed.