Former Nigeria international Garba Lawal has urged Nigerians to temporarily shift their attention away from the ongoing crisis and reform process in the country’s football administration, and to rally behind the Super Eagles ahead of their crucial 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Lawal believes Nigeria’s immediate priority should be securing maximum points from the upcoming international fixtures, stressing that positive results on the pitch could help ease some of the tension currently surrounding Nigerian football.
The Super Eagles are scheduled to face Madagascar on September 25 before taking on Guinea-Bissau on September 29 as their Group L qualification campaign gets underway.
With Tanzania already assured of a place at the 2027 AFCON as one of the tournament’s co-hosts, Nigeria face an important battle with Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau for the other qualification opportunity available from the group.
For Lawal, that makes the two September fixtures too important to be overshadowed by the administrative uncertainty surrounding the Nigeria Football Federation.
The former Super Eagles midfielder believes discussions surrounding the proposed reforms can continue, but insists attention must now turn towards ensuring that the national team is properly prepared to deliver results.
Nigeria’s football administration is currently undergoing a period of significant transition following the resignation of the previous NFF leadership and the commencement of a broader reform process.
The situation has generated considerable debate among former internationals, administrators and other stakeholders over the future structure and leadership of Nigerian football.
Lawal, however, does not want that uncertainty to become an unnecessary distraction for the players.
He believes victories in the upcoming qualifiers would provide an important sporting boost at a time when Nigerian football needs stability and positive momentum.
The former international knows the pressure associated with representing Nigeria in major qualifying campaigns, having featured for the Super Eagles at the 1998 and 2002 FIFA World Cups, as well as several Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.
His message is therefore centred on ensuring that events away from the pitch do not interfere with the team’s responsibilities on it.
While Nigeria’s football authorities continue working towards a new administrative structure, Lawal wants the Super Eagles to concentrate on the task directly in front of them — collecting six points and putting themselves in a strong position in the AFCON qualification race.
For Lawal, reforms may determine the long-term future of Nigerian football, but right now, victories for the Super Eagles could provide the stability the game desperately needs.
