Olympic gold medallist explains Paul Onuachu’s Super Eagles struggles

Former Super Eagles and Santa Clara midfielder Garba Lawal has weighed in on Paul Onuachu’s struggles in the Nigerian jersey, Afrik Foot reports.

The 31-year-old has been in fine form for Trabzonspor this season, scoring 22 goals in 25 league games, and is on the brink of breaking the club’s record for most goals by a foreign player in a domestic campaign.

Across his 189 club career goals for Genk, FC Midtjylland, Southampton, Velje Boldklub and Trabzonspor, he’s only scored four goals in 32 appearances for Nigeria.

Garba Lawal reveals why Paul Onuachu struggles for Nigeria

The former Southampton striker is the leading goalscorer in the Turkish Super Lig, but was still a substitute for Akor Adams in Nigeria’s March International friendlies.

Garba, who played 55 games for Nigeria, believes Onuachu is a victim of not taking his national team chance from the get-go.

“He is an excellent striker, and his quality is a major reason he’s finding the back of the net consistently,” Lawal told Footy-Africa.

“While some might say his move to Turkey involved a bit of luck, he’s now scoring the goals that eluded him at Southampton.

“If he decides to move on, this current form will serve him well.”

“It’s important to remember that national team football is a different ball game.

“Even in my day, we had strikers like Jonathan Akpoborie, who struggled internationally but would return to his club and score a brace or a hat-trick immediately.

“At club level, you have the luxury of time and consistent minutes to find your rhythm. With the national team, you don’t have time to gel; you might only get two or three sessions before a match.

“If you don’t produce instantly, you risk being dropped. At a club, you have the luxury of time and consistent minutes to find your rhythm.

“Regardless, he remains an important player for the country. I’m sure the coach is keeping a close eye on him,” the 51-year-old concluded.

The lanky striker has been linked with Juventus alongside other Saudi Pro League clubs, but Trabzonspor have made it clear that he’s not for sale.