A former Nigerian international, Garba Lawal, has expressed concern over the country’s free fall as depicted by FIFA the world soccer governing body, in its current monthly rankings of national teams.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles on Thursday suffered one of their worst FIFA rankings in many years when they slipped 14 places downward from the 43rd spot to be placed on 57th position in the world. The development has resulted in the national team, slipping from its previous 7th position in Africa to number 10.
Lawal, who was a member of the Nigerian team that won an Olympic gold medal in Atlanta, Georgia, US, in 1996 told globalpatriotnews.com that the poor rating of Nigeria, three times winner of the prestigious Africa Cup of Nations by the world soccer governing body “clearly shows that our football has lost its momentum. It is obviously on the decline and this is worrisome,” he said.
He said “as one of those that played for this nation and raised its flag proudly in international championships, the development is demoralizing, not only to me as a person, but to the officials of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, and the current footballers, especially those plying their trades in Europe.”
Lawal, who not long ago was the General Manager of Kaduna United FC said this sad development could impact negatively on the value of the country’s footballers, especially when it comes to the business of transfers in the international market.
The former international expressed hope that with the support of the various stakeholders in the country’s football, Sunday Oliseh, the newly-appointed head coach of the national team will change the fortunes of the nation’s football for the better.
He said that having played with Oliseh in the Super Eagles, he knows the new coach of Nigeria to be a focused, disciplined and well organized individual who can deliver when it matters most.
