By Taofeek Lawal
Former Nigerian midfielder, Garba Lawal has called on the Super Eagles to be more purposeful and determined in their remaining qualifying games if they hope to defend their title next year in Morocco. The Eagles were floored in Calabar on Saturday following a lackluster performance which the Red Devils of Congo Brazzaville capitalized on.
The 1996 Atlanta Olympics gold medalist in a phone interview with our correspondent said while the Eagles lacked direction and played as if nothing was at stake; the Congolese took the match away from the Nigerians coming from a goal down to win the game. “The Eagles played a European game. We should separate this loss from what is going on in NFF. The boys are professionals and one expects that they approached the game with a mindset to win. Now they will be under unnecessary pressure as they play South Africa in Cape Town on Wednesday.
They would have to approach the remaining games in the group like a cup final,” he said. Asked if Nigeria will qualify to defend her title next year in Morocco, the former Roda JC Kerkrade of Holland player said “It is not over, that is football for you. It’s just a temporary setback. I believe we can still qualify and defend our AFCON title in January in Morocco.”
