Former Super Eagles head coach, Samson Siasia has admitted that he got his fingers burnt with the authorities during his playing days as a result of his outspoken nature.
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Siasia said he and current Nigeria national team head coach, Stephen Keshi were branded as "the mafia" owing to their penchant for always "speaking up against injustice" during their time as Super Eagles players.
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"Keshi and I were really close during our playing days and we were referred to as 'the mafia' because we always stood up for our teammates. We were always speaking up against injustice," Siasia said.
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Siasia was sacked as Nigeria coach on October 28, 2011 after he failed to guide the national team to a place at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations and Keshi was appointed as his replacement.
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The former Nantes striker insisted that he and Keshi "were not doing something bad" by always standing up to the authorities.
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"We were not doing something bad because not everyone can speak for himself. We were always speaking up for those who could not and as a result, we were fingered out.
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"They blacklisted us then but I think that was wrong.
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We were not disrespectful but we did not fear those in charge.
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"We spoke up. I think Nigeria will be a much better place if we have people like that," he added.
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Siasia played 51 international matches for Nigeria in which he scored 13 goals.