Sani Kaita has revisited the red card that became one of the most painful moments of his 22-cap Super Eagles career, admitting that even the Video Assistant Referee might have reached the same decision over his infamous clash with Greece at the 2010 World Cup, Footynaija.com reports.
Kaita had started Nigeria’s first two matches at the tournament in South Africa, including the 1-0 defeat to Argentina, before his World Cup campaign changed in the space of a few seconds against Greece.
Nigeria had taken the lead through Kalu Uche’s 16th-minute free-kick and looked set to fight for a result that would have revived their hopes of reaching the knockout stage. But Kaita was sent off in the 33rd minute after kicking out at Vasilis Torosidis near the touchline.
The dismissal left Nigeria with 10 men and gave Greece a route back into the game. Dimitris Salpingidis equalised before half-time, while Torosidis, the same player involved in the incident, scored the winner in the second half as Greece secured their first World Cup victory.
Kaita admits VAR would not have changed the decision
More than 16 years later, Kaita has taken a different view of the incident. Speaking in a report by Pulse Sports, the former midfielder admitted that the intention behind his action would still have counted against him even with modern technology available.
“I may say no to be honest with you because intent is what really counts when it comes to appreciating football from the referees point of view,” Kaita said.
He accepted that anger got the better of him after Torosidis hit him with the ball during a throw-in situation, but he no longer believes the incident needs further justification.
“So, the intent from myself wasn’t good at all. I don’t think it will change anything even with VAR. I believe it was just something that was meant to happen. I have already moved on,” he added.
The admission is a more reflective view from a player who once described the Greece defeat as a turning point in his career. In a 2016 interview with PUNCH, Kaita said the incident was the moment that all the good things he had done for Nigeria were forgotten, while also accepting that he had exposed the team by losing his discipline.
Nigeria lost the game, Kaita missed the final group match against South Korea through suspension, and the Super Eagles eventually exited the tournament after a 2-2 draw with the Koreans.
The midfielder also faced an ugly reaction away from the pitch, with Nigerian team officials reporting that he received more than 1,000 death threats after the Greece defeat. South African police later increased security around the player.
Kaita never scored in his 22 appearances for Nigeria between 2005 and 2010, but he was part of the squad that finished third at the 2006 and 2010 Africa Cup of Nations and also helped the country reach the 2008 Olympic final. His World Cup red card remains the moment most associated with his international career.
