Former Nigerian international Dimeji Lawal has criticized the decision by the Super Eagles to boycott training on Tuesday, describing it as a poorly timed protest that could jeopardize Nigeria’s World Cup qualification hopes.
The standoff between the players and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) over unpaid bonuses and allowances has dominated headlines just days before the crucial playoff clash with Gabon in Rabat, Morocco.
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Lawal, speaking to journalists from Lagos, said while the players have every right to demand their entitlements, choosing to do so less than 48 hours before such a pivotal game reflects bad judgment and a lack of professionalism.
“There’s always a right time for everything,” Lawal said. “I understand their frustrations — players deserve to be paid what they are owed — but this is not the right time to stage a protest. The focus right now should be on qualifying for the World Cup. Once that’s achieved, they can engage the federation or even the government constructively.”
The former winger, who featured for Nigeria in the 1990s, warned that distractions like these have historically hurt the team during major qualifiers and tournaments. He urged the players to remember that millions of Nigerians are counting on them to deliver, stressing that internal disputes could only embolden their opponents.
Lawal also called on the NFF to act swiftly in resolving the matter, saying that the federation’s history of broken promises and poor communication has repeatedly caused unnecessary tension in the national team camp.
“The NFF must take responsibility too,” he continued. “You can’t keep owing players and expect everything to run smoothly. It affects morale. But players also need to rise above such issues when it matters most — patriotism must come first.”
The former Shooting Stars man concluded by expressing optimism that the team can still perform well if calm is restored, urging senior players like William Troost-Ekong and Ahmed Musa to take charge and refocus the squad’s mentality ahead of Thursday’s must-win encounter.
