Former Nigeria international Garba Lawal has urged the Super Eagles to begin an immediate squad refresh following the country’s second consecutive failure to qualify for the FIFA World Cup. Speaking in the aftermath of Nigeria’s dramatic penalty shootout loss to DR Congo, Lawal said the disappointment should mark the beginning of a full restructuring process rather than another short-term patchwork.
According to the 1996 Olympic gold medallist, Nigeria cannot afford to wait until the next World Cup qualifying cycle before making key decisions about the squad’s future.
Read Also: Lagos State Referees’ General Secretary Dele Atoun Charges NFF To Fight For Selection Of Nigerian Match Officials
He stressed that football operates in cycles, and many players in the current team may already be past their peak by the time the next qualifiers arrive. “By the time another World Cup cycle comes, some of these boys will be in their thirties or even beyond their prime,” he cautioned.
Lawal said the painful exit in Rabat should serve as a wake-up call to inject new, younger, hungrier players into the team immediately—not only to build future chemistry but also to introduce competition for places.
He argued that the next generation must begin integrating now so they can adapt to the team’s environment, understand the pressures of representing Nigeria, and develop the confidence required to play at top international level.
The former Super Eagles midfielder also warned that emotional reactions and blame games would not solve Nigeria’s recurring problems. Instead, he called for clear, strategic planning focused on long-term renewal rather than short-term fire-fighting.
“We must start early,” he said. “If fresh legs come in now, they will learn, they will grow, and by the time the next qualifiers come, Nigeria will have a well-built, well-prepared team.”
Lawal concluded by urging the NFF and coaching crew to be bold in decision-making, noting that the era of relying on aging players must give way to a structured succession plan. With AFCON around the corner and emotions still raw, his call signals a growing sentiment that Nigeria’s national team must begin rebuilding immediately—not tomorrow.
