Former Super Eagles midfielder, Sani Kaita, is famous for his red card against Greece at the South Africa 2010 World Cup. In this interview with Idris Adesina, the former Sparta Rotterdam player explains what led to the red card.

How did you start football?

I started football as every normal young child in Nigeria – from the streets. It was fun and I can remember what it was like today. I had the dream then of becoming a professional footballer and I am happy that I was able to achieve that dream. I began playing professionally with Kano Pillars since I was young – I can’t remember the age now – but I became a professional player in 2003 and I have played for a number of clubs in Europe. I have also played for Enyimba and FC IfeanyiUbah after my sojourn in Europe. I am currently unattached but I am working on getting a club very soon – either home or abroad. My parents were quite supportive of my dream and they didn’t object when I said I wanted to play football.

Since you started playing when you were young, did you complete your education?

I completed my secondary school education and since then I have focused on my playing career but I still plan to further my education when I can get a club and I am stable.

You came to limelight when you played at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2005 under coach Samson Siasia. How did you get into the team?

I was still playing at Kano Pillars then and the coach was looking for players for the team after their qualification for the World Cup. I wasn’t a part of the team that won the 2005 AYC but ahead of the World Cup I got an invitation to the team’s camp. I impressed the coach as a defensive midfielder and that was how I made the team to the Holland 2005 tournament.

How will you describe your experience at that tournament?

That tournament was the turning point in my career because it turned me a household name. My role in the team was to cover the defence and also assist the midfield and it was a job I would say I did quite well. Mikel Obi was then a central midfielder and I was tasked with providing the right back-up for him in the team. That tournament made me aware of the skills I possessed and also made me know that I could do whatever I put my mind to. It was a tournament we were unlucky to have lost because we were very determined to bring the trophy home for the first time.

You went on to play for the Super Eagles in a number of matches. How would you describe your time with the team?

My sojourn in the Eagles was mixed with good and bad moments and it is quite tough to say that this is the one that is the most memorable. If I could remember well, I played in more than 20 matches for the team – including friendly matches. My first appearance was in a friendly match against Romania in 2005 after the U-20 World Cup but it was a match that we lost – I can’t remember the score line. But the toughest of the matches I played was against Argentina at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, which we lost 1-0. It was a match I believed we could have won or at least drawn but we were unlucky. I think we have been quite unlucky against Argentina because they were the ones who beat us at the U-20 World Cup and also at the Olympics and again at the 2010 World Cup. It was tough because Lionel Messi is a tough player to mark but I believe we did well as a team.

Still on the 2010 World Cup, you got a red card in the group match against Greece, which angered many Nigerians because they believed that red card cost Nigeria the match. What really led to your action?

Of course the match against Greece is one which I will never forget in a lifetime because it was another turning point in my career. That match was what I could say ended my national team career because since then I haven’t been invited to the team. The Greek player was to take a throw-in but when he took the ball he threw it at my chest, which got me angry and I kicked out at him. I think the red card was rather harsh because I had not been booked before that action.

Are you saying you got provoked by Vasilis Torosidis, the Greek player?

The game was wearing on and we were leading 1-0. We weren’t under much pressure but we needed to add to the score. I wanted him to throw the ball quickly so that the game could continue but he made to hit my chest with the ball and truly I shouldn’t have gotten angry but I was provoked and I kicked out at him. The kick wasn’t that much but Torosidis acted for the referee to give the card. I regretted my action because the team became exposed after the red card. All the good things I did in the match was forgotten and the red card was what everybody was talking about. That year was really tough because that card was the second red card I would collect – I had collected one at my club then – and it really hurts to be a part of the reasons for the country’s failure at the 2010 World Cup.

Do you think that incident contributed to your early exit from the Eagles?

Anything that comes – good or bad – I take it as it is. I won’t say that it led to my exit from the national team because even though that incident was sad, there are many good and memorable moments to cherish from the national team. I have since apologised for my actions then and I hope I would be forgiven. Since then, I haven’t been called to the team but I believe if I get a good club now and I play very well, I can still make a return to the Eagles because I have been looking for an opportunity to correct the wrong I did. It wasn’t an intentional thing but if I have the opportunity to play for the Eagles again, I will definitely correct that mistake. It has always been a dream to return to the national team.

In 2015, you played for IfeanyiUbah some months after your return from Europe. Why did you part ways with the club?

I had an agreement with the team. I agreed terms with the club chairman and he promised I would get what we agreed in two days but after playing four matches for them, they failed to fulfill their part of the agreement. I tried to make them respect the contract, but the chairman never responded, so I was left with no choice than to leave the team. Of course, I have moved on since and I wish them well in their campaign.

How do you think the Nigeria Premier League can be improved?

The difference between our league and the European leagues is the tactical approach. We play a lot of physical football here while they focus on the tactical aspect in Europe. Some coaches here do not know what formation they will play till they field the players unlike in Europe. The league has improved a lot in recent times because you can now travel away and win but I believe there should be more improvement in the areas of hooliganism and the number of matches played in a week. It is tough for a player to play on Wednesday and still travel again to play on Sunday. The players won’t be able to give their best in those matches.

You have a daughter. Will you allow her play football?

No my daughter will not play football even if she wants to but when I have a son, I will support him to any level he wants to play.

Nigeria is out of the Africa Cup of Nations for the second consecutive time. What do you think is wrong with the Eagles?

I think the lack of continuity and frequent change in coaching crew is to be attributed to the collapse of the team. You know since we won the Nations Cup in 2013, the team has witnessed at least three changes in coaches, that is not good for the progress of the team. When a coach comes, he starts his process and his style with the team but when he has made a considerable progress and he is sent packing, the new coach will have to start again from the scratch and that is drawing the team back. The team needs continuity to return to its glory days. I believe coach Samson Siasia should be left to continue with the team and develop them because the team did well in the matches he was in charge.

What is your advice for up-and-coming footballers?

They should have a focus and they should not forget to respect their coaches. Education is important and it is a backup for football. They need to also persevere in the face of adversities in the course of their careers.

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