Garba Lawal Attributes Lack Of Northern Players In Super Eagles To Impatience

Former Nigerian international and versatile player Garba Lawal has attributed the continuing decline of footballers from the northern region in Nigeria’s senior national team, the Super Eagles, to a lack of patience and resilience.

Despite the undeniable fact that Nigeria’s northern region is rich in football talent, statistics over the years indicate that less than 10 percent of the players who have represented Nigeria since the inception of the national team in 1963 have come from the north, despite the vast youth population in the region.
Speaking exclusively to LEADERSHIP Friday Sports, the former national utility player Lawal stated that any player aspiring to wear Nigeria’s green-white-green shirt must demonstrate discipline and resilience, and learn from history.

“The key words are discipline and resilience. As a young player or emerging talent, if you know your ability, work on it and also learn from history. If someone tells you this is how others have progressed, follow their mentorship. I learned from mentorship; we have our seniors who played before us, and we learned from them—that is how to grow.

“If I attend training and the coach does not select me, I will reflect on what I am lacking and work on that. I’ll observe what those players are doing that I am not, and emulate them to excel. That is self-belief and confidence.
“And in life, if you lack patience, there is no way you can achieve something. You must have patience. Football requires discipline, patience, resilience, good character, and attitude to succeed. National teams do not operate on a quota system,” he said.

Garba Lawal, who played 57 international matches for Nigeria, won an Olympic gold medal, and represented the country at four editions of the African Cup of Nations (2000, 2002, 2004, and 2006) and two FIFA World Cups (1998 and 2002), urged northern players to work hard if they wish to make the Super Eagles squad and remain in the team.

“They need to work hard because in Nigeria, everyone wants to play, but not everyone can wear the ‘Green-White-Green jersey. Some may come, play a few games, and then disappear, while others will be consistent and remain in the team for a decade or even longer.”