Dimeji Lawal, a former Nigeria junior International, has revealed that George Finidi’s explosive emergence on the national team stage brought to an end his (Lawal’s) senior national team career.
The onetime dashing winger also confidently posits that Super Eagles are good enough to scoop the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations ultimate to make it Nigeria’s 4th title overall.
Lawal, who arrived the big stage in 1989 following an extraordinary performance in the colours of Nigeria’s national U-20 team, Flying Eagles, during that year’s FIFA U-20 World Cup finals in Saudi Arabia, believes that he was on the verge of ‘pocketing’ the Super Eagles’ No.7 jersey the way ‘Mathematical’ Segun Odegbami did, but for Finidi’s arrival at the time with his incredible form.
The former Shooting Stars Sports Club winger who is currently the General Manager of the Oluyole Warriors spoke during the University of Ibadan old students’ interactive forum.
‘Kabongo’, as Lawal is fondly called, disclosed that the emergence of Finidi and Coach Clemens Westerhof’s preference of him in his starting lineups, ultimately ended his Super Eagles career even before it clearly kicked off.
“Westerhof single-handedly played a role in my setback at the national team, but he cannot be blamed for creating a perfect replacement in Finidi George, who without doubt, remains one of the best in our position,” starts Dimeji Lawal who was Real Madrid’s player at the time.
“My utmost respect to Finito,”added Lawal who signed for the Spanish giants in 1989 after helping the Flying Eagles perform the ‘Damman Miracle’ along with Mutiu Adepoju, Chris Ohenhen, amongst others.
Lawal found playing time incredibly difficult in the Super Eagles on account of Finidi George’s emergence. He also gives reasons why he could not break into the Madrid first team.
“My signing for (Real) Madrid was a long story of fulfilment. I couldn’t have dreamt that football would take me to Santiago Bernabeu one day, not to talk of sitting in the same dressing room with Hugo Sanchez, Michel Salgado, Bernd Shurster, Oscar Ruggeri, George Hagi, Robert Prosinescki, Emilio Butragueno, Canizares and Fernando Hierro, amongst others,” he recalled.
“My first set-back was that in those days, there was quota system as you could only have four foreigners registered and only three could play in a game, unlike now that the system has changed drastically. So, looking at the aforementioned super stars, we can all understand why it was so difficult to become a part of the first team.
“We had a few opportunities to play with the first team in some friendly games but not in an official matches.”
Lawal says he was grateful to God for the privilege of playing at that level.
“With the array of talents at Real Madrid at that time, unfortunately, I could not edge out the foreigners above me because football and representation go beyond just the leather object. But no regrets. While I was signed by Madrid, my younger brother Muyiwa also signed for Atletico Madrid. I thank God for the uncommon privilege and honor”.
Lawal’s national team career began with U-17s following his selection for the Canada ’87 FIFA U-17 World Cup finals.
Two years later, he made the cut for the Flying Eagles to the Saudi ‘89 FIFA U-20 World Cup where the team won the silver medal following 1-0 defeat to Portugal in the final.
As the 2023 AFCON remains just two calendar months away, Lawal looks at his Crystal ball and predicts that Super Eagles can scoop the African diadem in Cote d’Ivoire.
“Nigeria will be the team to beat in the next CAF Nations Cup. I have no doubt about that, ” Lawal said, exuding firm confidence.
“We have the generation of young talents doing so well in various European top clubs. Not only that, they are young and have the opportunity to play with and against the best legs in the World week in week out”.
‘Kabongo’ would however hand out a stern warning to the Super Eagles coaching staff to stop experimenting with the team and focus on building a formidable team with cohesion and understanding.
The man of the match award winner when the Flying Eagles faced Luis Figo inspired team at the group stage of the 1989 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Saudi Arabia points at what should be Super Eagles players first motivation at AFCON 2023.
“Notwithstanding the talent depth of the Super Eagles, this crop of players have not won anything tangible for the country yet, except at their clubs. I am very sure that will be a big drive for them to really cement their arrival as new boys on the block,” he said.
“My advice for the technical crew is simple: the time of trials should be over. We have had enough of testing and trials. It’s time to build a formidable team with cohesion and understanding.
“Suddenly, we have become a country without a standing team. It’s not the best for our football. I know the first eleven of Germany, England, Spain, Holland, and France, unless there is any unforeseen circumstances (injuries, sickness etc).
“But our coaching crew keeps ‘searching’ for new half-casts or European -born players every day. That must stop now so that the team can focus on team cohesion”.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles are in the AFOCON 2923 Group A alongside hosts Cote d’Ivoire, fast-improving Equatorial Guinea and Guinea-Bissau, who have qualified for a fourth straight edition.
AFCON 2023 is scheduled to kickoff on January 13 and end on February 11 2023, with six stadiums in five Ivorian cities hosting the matches.
