Super Eagles’ former battling midfielder-cum-winger, Garba Chindo Lawal has advised that the Nigerian national team’s current set of players must play their upcoming matches in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers with intensity, anxiety, attitude and character.
Sports247 reports that the Eagles are currently in a precarious position in their qualification group, as they stand fourth on the table ahead of this Saturday’s clash with Rwanda in Uyo and away to table-topping South Africa on Tuesday.
Lawal took a closer look at the current scenario, then pointed out that Nigerians can only hope and pray for the Eagles to pull the chestnut out of the fire, but the real duty lies with the coach, Eric Chelle, and the players themselves.
The former Roda JC Kerkrade of Netherlands left-footed grafter pointed out, “At this stage that we are, we have to win every game. As a coach, as a player, you must not allow any complacency … it’s just to win each game.
“No matter how you do it, you are a coach. You have your players, no matter how you want to do it, the important thing is to win those games.”
Lawal then turned his attention fully on the players, who he reckoned should have a personal urge and drive of aiming to feature at the World Cup, which he recalled having the pleasure of gracing twice in his career – 1998 and 2002
He declared, “The World Cup happens every four years, and every player on this earth wants to be called upon to play at that level. That’s the biggest honour in football. That’s why each and every player wants to be there.
“I am one of the luckiest players who played at two editions of this championship. So, the intensity and the anxiety should be applied, with the right attitude and character. You just have to give it all you’ve got for you to get there as a player.”
Lawal, who was earlier on part of the Nigerian under-23 squad that won gold at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, USA, also reminded the Eagles’ current players about what they stand to gain should they eventually make it to the first edition of the World Cup to be co-hosted by three countries – USA, Canada and Mexico.
He pointed out, “Once you play at the World Cup, even your clubside will respect you a lot. You get more respect when you play at the global championship.
“So, I believe those players want to be there. Nobody wants to take chances. We believe in them, and we believe they can do it. Nobody can take them there except they themselves.”
While acknowledging the role that can be played by analysts and fans, Lawal reiterated that qualifying for the World Cup is very essential for the country, but admitted that the inputs of Nigerians cannot go beyond goodwill messages.
“We can only hope for them and pray that those games will be easy for our players to prosecute; with the coaches also. Qualifying is very important for the nation and for them as individuals,” Lawal affirmed.
