Former Super Eagles midfielder, Garba Lawal has stressed the importance of Nigeria’s upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifier against South Africa, describing it as a must-win game with no room for complacency.
Speaking on Brila FM’s breakfast show “No Holds Barred with Ifeanyi Udeze”, Lawal highlighted the significance of the clash.
“It is okay we won the game 1-0, we don’t score a lot of goals and maybe at the end of the day in our group the goals will count.
“The game with South Africa is a must-win game, there is no complacency, it’s more than a game — the intensity of the fans, the derby atmosphere. There is no room now to drop a point. The game against Uyo helped us a little and we thank God for that, but there is no room for costly mistakes.
“We just have to win, no matter what. World Cup qualification is the biggest target. Each and every player wants to play in a World Cup, that’s the biggest tournament in the world. They just have to bring that extra thing in them to win in South Africa with resilience.”
Lawal admitted that the lack of sufficient training camps continues to affect the Super Eagles but stressed that players must take responsibility when opportunities arise.
Also read: We Are Ready for South Africa – Nwabali
“I believe the coach is doing what it takes to keep them in shape. It’s perfection — they have to try it in training and do it day in, day out for them to perfect it.
“But you don’t have much time in the national team, it’s not a place you do a lot of training.
“You only come for two to four days and then go back. The players know better than you and I; the coach can only impact knowledge, but it is left for them to have that luck and composure in front of goal.
“That game against South Africa is massive.”
The ex-international acknowledged the void left by Victor Osimhen’s injury but called on other players to step up.
“We need everyone, that’s football for you. This is where you give some players the chance to showcase their talent. It’s an opportunity for others to play.
“At this point we miss him, there is nothing we can do, but we must play without him. The most important thing is for Nigeria to play for him and for the country. If we win, even Osimhen will feel relief.”
Lawal also praised young defender Benjamin Fredrick, recalling his potential from the U20 setup, while urging senior players to guide him.
“I am not surprised about Benjamin Fredrick playing, I was with him in the U20s. I know what he can do as a player, he has talent, and he’s from Kaduna here, so I know him well. I agree with what Ekong said, that it’s not about him but the team’s success. Ekong encouraged him greatly as a senior man.”
He further stressed the role of Calvin Bassey in providing defensive leadership.
“Calvin Bassey needs to guide Benjamin in the game tomorrow as a more experienced player. He doesn’t have 100 percent confidence yet and it’s normal because he is just starting.
“He can’t afford to overlap too much and leave Benjamin in defense. He must protect him until he settles into the team.”
The ex winger urged head coach Eric Chelle to maximize Nigeria’s attacking firepower by deploying both Cyriel Dessers and Tolu Arokodare.
“Tolu Arokodare and Cyriel Dessers are good. I follow Dessers in the Scottish league and I hope he will take that drive with him to excel. Arokodare, the same thing, when he was in Belgium I followed him.
“Chelle has to use all his strikers. We are not looking for a draw, there is nothing like fear. We must play compact, with no costly mistakes, or it’s over.”
Lawal also issued a word of caution to goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali following his clash with a Rwandan attacker.
“Stanley Nwabali’s action against the Rwanda attacker wasn’t necessary. He wanted to provoke him into a card. If there was VAR it could have been worse.
“He has to stay disciplined and control his temper, that’s why it’s professional football. That’s my fear, and I hope Chelle will tell him to ignore everything, not to retaliate.
“They will try to provoke him because it’s part of the tactical game.”
Lawal represented Nigeria between 1997 and 2006, earning 57 caps and scoring several important goals.
He was part of the Super Eagles team that won the Olympic gold medal in 1996 and featured in four Africa Cup of Nations tournaments (2000, 2002, 2004, 2006), scoring in all but the first.
The 51-year-old was also part of the Super Eagles squads for the 1998 and 2002 FIFA World Cups.
