Only Osimhen and Lookman have it — Ex-pro names main problem of Super Eagles

Former Super Eagles midfielder Garba Lawal has expressed interest in coaching the Nigerian national team, stating that it was his ambition. He also listed some of the flaws in the current team.

The 51-year-old is currently the general manager of Kada Warriors in the NNL, but he aspires to a future in coaching, specifically in the Nigerian national team. 

In an interview with PSN, the former Julius Berger midfielder was asked what plans he has for his future, and he revealed that he wanted to coach the Super Eagles. 

“Absolutely, I aspire to coach the Super Eagles,” he said.  Every top coach in the country harbours the ambition to lead the national team, and I’m no different. With self-belief, confidence, and God’s grace, anything is possible.

"Currently, I serve as the General Manager of Kada Warriors in the NNL, so I’m still very much involved in the coaching aspect. If I notice something the coach might have missed, I draw his attention to it. Don’t forget, I also have a background in the NFF’s technical department.”

Garba follows the national team keenly and believes that the current crop of players lacks resilience; however, he singles out the likes of Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman for praise. 

“The crucial difference between the Super Eagles of the past and the current team is resilience. While tactics and individual talent are important, they amount to nothing if you don’t put in the extra hard work on the pitch.”

“The present team’s attitude and character must change. We have talented individual players, but what we sorely lack is resilience.

“Consider our current World Cup qualification predicament; the team put themselves in this position, and only the players can turn the tide. 

“They understand the significance of qualifying for the World Cup. I was fortunate enough to participate twice, in 1998 and 2002.

“Winning the Olympic gold in 1996 was my greatest moment with the national team, a record that remains unbroken. I played in the AFCON and the World Cup, and all these achievements were born from hard work and resilience.

“In the current squad, I primarily see resilience in players like Osimhen and Lookman. This isn’t to discredit the other players, but it’s a quality that stands out in them.”