A former Super Eagles utility player, Garba Lawal has charged the home-based Super Eagles players to consider the international friendly match with Mexico on July 3, as a lifetime opportunity. In this interview with Trust Sports, a member of the 1996 Atlanta Olympics gold-winning Dream Team I said, if the players justify the confidence reposed in them by the NFF, they will witness major breakthroughs in their career. The former JC Roda of Holland player also spoke on the need for a standard Team B and how to tackle the mass exodus of Nigerian players.
The home-based Super Eagles will be taking on Mexico in an international friendly in the USA. What are their chances against the more illustrious opponents?
First and foremost, I want to disagree with those who address these players as home-based Super Eagles. They are also Super Eagles players. The whole thing is about opportunities. These are talented players who have the potential to play in Europe. And I tell you, anytime these lads are given such an opportunity, they hardly disappoint. To answer your question, I am confident that the players are not going to disappoint Nigerians. I am not saying categorically that they are going to win but they won’t let the country down. Moreover, we don’t have to lay so much emphasis on the result. We should be more concerned about the overall performance of the team.
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So you are in full support of the decision that the match should be prosecuted by the NPFL stars…
I support the decision by the Nigeria Football Federation to hand this top-rated friendly match to players in the Nigerian Professional Football League. This is what we should have on a regular basis. The players would always cherish such an opportunity to showcase their talents. My suggestion is that NFF should find a way for these players to be coming together periodically, even if matches against neighbouring countries like Sudan, Niger Republic and Benin Republic are arranged for them. It is always good to have plan B. We don’t have to over depend on foreign-based players. Whenever there is an emergency, we should have capable replacements.
What then is your advice to the players as they prepare to take Mexico?
My advice to them is that they should grab the opportunity given to them with both hands. Opportunities like this don’t come often. They should see the match as a lifetime opportunity. I want them to play the match with all seriousness because from this game, many of them would have the breakthroughs they have been praying for. You see when a player goes abroad for trials, he gives more than 100% to impress everyone. It is the same spirit that I want the players to deploy against Mexico. The match is a kind of trial for each of the players. If they do well, the NFF may consider giving them more of such opportunities.
Don’t you think such expectations will put the players under too much pressure?
The lads are professionals so I expect them to handle any pressure that will come with the match. I want to say that every game has its own pressure. Even village matches come with their own pressure. These are tested players in the Nigerian Professional Football League. The NPFL is not a small league so anyone playing in it should be used to pressure. I don’t think it will be too much to ask the players to justify the confidence reposed in them by the NFF.
Would you say the players selected for the friendly against Mexico are the best in the Nigerian Professional Football League?
I am sure the technical director in the NFF, Austin Eguaveon, provided an answer to this question when it was put to him by journalists during one of the team’s training sessions. He said it is not possible to bring in every player at once. However, he explained that those selected were recommended by coaches who handle some of the top clubs in the league. He mentioned Abdul Maikaba of Plateau United, Salisu Yusuf of Rangers, Stanley Eguma of Rivers United, Kennedy Boboye of Akwa United and the president of Nigeria Football Coaches, Ladan Bosso among the coaches who recommended some of the players who were invited. I think he also made it clear that more opportunities will be given to other players who could not make the present squad. Therefore, I believe this has settled anything that anyone might want to say about the selection of players for this particular friendly. The onus is now on the players to prove themselves and retain their places in the team. I am sure they know that others are also eager to be given a similar opportunity.
From what you have said so far, you must be pleased with the recent call by the Minister of Sports, Sunday Dare that there should be no discrimination against the home-based players…
I don’t have much to say about this but as an avid supporter of players who are plying their trade in the NPFL, I will not oppose the Hon. Minister’s call for home-based players inclusion in the Super Eagles. I always believe in the home-based players and the need for them to be given the opportunity to play in the first team of the Super Eagles. The truth of the matter is that there isn’t much difference between a Nigerian player who is based at home and those playing overseas. You will agree with me that the same player who is considered not good enough for the Super Eagles is suddenly capable the moment he joins a club in Europe. It is for this reason that every young player wants to move abroad. And this is not helping the Nigerian league. I think the craze for professional football abroad will reduce if the players are assured of the opportunity to play for the Super Eagles even as home-based.
Finally, how happy were you to reunite with some of your 1996 Atlanta Olympics teammates in Bauchi recently?
(Laughs) It was a happy family reunion. We were brought together by an NGO that organized a scouting programme in Bauchi. I was there with Kanu Nwankwo, Austin Jay Jay Okocha, Tijani Babangida, Daniel Amokachi, Taribo West, Patrick Pascal, Emmanuel Babayaro and a host of others. In fact, we were so happy to meet with the then NFA Secretary-General, Hon. Ahmed Sani Toro. He was overwhelmed with happiness when he saw us. Kanu asked him to go to his seat on the bench. At the Olympics, he used to be the last person on the bench. When we reminded him about this, he laughed a lot. It was indeed a happy family reunion.
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