Garba Lawal Stirs Up A Hornet's Nest By Blasting Eagles For Lacking Leaders In Mould Of Eguavoen
Published: December 02, 2020
1996 Atlanta Olympics gold medalist Garba Lawal has stirred up a hornet's nest by heavily criticizing the current Super Eagles for lacking real leaders in the team.
The former Nigeria international revisited that Super Eagles' poor showing in last month's 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Sierra Leone at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, where they threw away a four-goal lead to draw 4-4 with the lowly ranked African nation.
Lawal noted that during his time with the national team, they had established leaders such as Austin Eguavoen and Uche Okechukwu who motivated the players when things were not going well on the pitch.
He placed the blame on the players for the disgraceful draw and not manager Gernot Rohr.
"The senior men were the leaders in the team because you met them there and they've been playing the game before you - Eguavoen, Uche Okechukwu.When you are with them you cannot even talk," Lawal said.
"When we are losing they will say to you,'come on we can do it, why the loss of concentration'.
"There are some players you have to wake them in the field of play.
"As a coach you plan your game, at the end of the day something changes, you have to ask the players".
"When we are losing they will say to you,'come on we can do it, why the loss of concentration'.
"There are some players you have to wake them in the field of play.
"As a coach you plan your game, at the end of the day something changes, you have to ask the players".
He continued : "Sierra Leone came here to shock Nigeria 4-4, this is a game we were 4-0 up after 40 minutes.
"As a professional football player the coach does not have to tell you what to do on the field when you are 4-0 up, you need to keep the shape, discipline and be calm, play simple with controlled passes. You don't need to be in a hurry.
"Where is the leadership? It's like a training session, they score you and you bring the ball out of the net and play.
"I expect one of the oldest players to talk to the players but no one is talking, it's like they sealed everybody's mouth.
"I don't see that communication on the field, who is taking charge on the field?"
Lawal represented the Super Eagles at four Africa Cup of Nations but the utility player is more famous for scoring a crucial second goal for Nigeria in a 3-2 win against Spain at the 1998 World Cup.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com
Latest News
- N134b or nothing: Napoli yet to respond as Galatasaray increase bid for Osimhen
- Aston Villa legend advises Southampton to keep hold of Edozie amid Rangers, Club Brugge interest
- Super Eagles-eligible striker gets new shirt number at Man Utd ahead of 2025-2026 season
- 'His two goals were incredible' – Tosin hails Chelsea's new signing ahead of CWC showpiece v PSG
- Motherwell confirm signing of Ibrahim Said, reveal he was once courted by Liverpool and Man City
- Golden Eaglets hat-trick hero at 2019 Fifa U17 World Cup joins Motherwell, subject to medical
- Genk set N45b asking price for Super Eagles forward amid AC Milan, Fulham and Burnley links
- Done deal: Wycombe Wanderers snap up Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace alum Olabiyi
- Nichols, Harriman-Annous in Arsenal squad for La Manga training camp; Nwaneri missing
- Nigerian central midfielder joins Real Sociedad after release by Arsenal


News Categories
- African Players
- Australia/ Asia
- Belgian Championship
- Bundesliga
- Danish Football
- English Premier League
- Nigeria National Teams
- Casinos not on Gamstop
- Nigeria Premier League
- Norwegian Football
- Football Betting
- Polish Football
- VT88
- VT88
- keo nha cai
- Russian Championship
- Serie A
- Spanish Liga
- Swedish Championship
- Transfer
- Turkish Championship
- 1Win
- Ukrainian Football
- Uncategorized
- Women's Football
- SHBET
- keo nha cai
- F168
- F168
- okvip
- hi88
- hi88
- hi88
- hi88
- hi88