It was love at first sight with Samson – Eunice Siasia

Weekly Trust: How did you meet your husband, Samson Siasia?Eunice Siasia: I met him in Benin when he came to Flash Flamingoes to play in 1985.There was nothing dramatic. I just met a stranger and fell in love with him.WT: What struck you most about him?Siasia: His dark skin.WT: Was he a star then?Siasia: Yes, […]

Weekly Trust: How did you meet your husband, Samson Siasia?
Eunice Siasia: I met him in Benin when he came to Flash Flamingoes to play in 1985.
There was nothing dramatic. I just met a stranger and fell in love with him.
WT: What struck you most about him?
Siasia: His dark skin.
WT: Was he a star then?
Siasia: Yes, he has always been a star from the day he was born. He started playing football at a tender age. He has always been playing football.
WT: When you met him, were you aware of whom he was?
Siasia: No, I wasn’t.
WT: How did you find out?
Siasia: Well, when we met he introduced himself afterwards. That was when I found out who he was.
WT: How long did it take for you to get married after that meeting?
Siasia: About two years.
WT: While courting, did his star status have any effect on your relationship?
Siasia: We were both young so we didn’t know much. There was nothing like ‘I’m a star’ between us.
WT: How many children do you have?
Siasia: They’re seven – five boys and two girls. We will be 30 years together very soon in marriage.
WT: Within this period what has been the most challenging period for you?
Siaisa: Him being in Nigeria and me living with the children in the United States, has been challenging for us.
WT: For how long have you been in the US?
Siasia: Seventeen years. He is always travelling back and forth.
WT: How has his career impacted on the family in general?
Siasia: Like I said, we grew up together. Being what he is, there hasn’t been much difference.
WT: How do you feel when he is on the field?
Siasia: I keep praying for him.
WT: What was the most thrilling moment for you in his career?
Siasia: Any time he wins a game.
Like when we went for the U-20 World Cup in 2005 and we were almost winning against Argentina. It was a wonderful moment, also, the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.
WT: Has there ever been a moment when it felt like his career was coming in the way of family?
Siasia: Not in any way because we are all in the U.S. So it has never been a big deal. He has been here (Nigeria) for the last 11 years, I think. I have been going back and forth for the last 10 years while he has been here.
WT: How do you respond to rumours about your husband?
Siasia: Normally, people love him so much to the point that they don’t even say anything wrong about him. So I haven’t crossed that line and I don’t hope to.
WT: How are your children responding to their father’s status?
Siasia: They’re in the US, like I said, so it isn’t that much of a big deal.
WT: What do you rate as the highest point of his career?
Siasia: Coaching the Super Eagles.
WT: What do you do?
Siasia: I’m a supportive wife, a full-blown housewife.
WT: When has he done something that has really gotten you angry?
Siasia: Maybe if he makes decisions without telling me. Yes, I get angry.
WT: Are any of the children taking after him in the same sport?
Siasia: Yes, the youngest.