Ex-Santa Clara forward explains why Super Eagles newcomers struggle in national team

Former Super Eagles and Santa Clara forward Garba Lawal has issued a strong warning to Nigeria’s newly invited players ahead of the upcoming Unity Cup tournament, Afrik-Foot reports.

Head coach Eric Chelle released two separate squad lists for the tournament, as well as for the friendly matches against Poland and Portugal, on Wednesday. Just like he revealed earlier, the Franco-Malian followed through on his plan to introduce new faces and handed call-ups to several players who are expected to make their debuts at the tournament.

The 27-man roster for the Unity Cup included 12 new players. Seven of them – Michael Atata, Aderemi Adeoye, Tosin Oyedokun, Chibueze Oputa, Obinna Igboke, Elias Ochobi, and Ayobami Junior, play in the Nigerian Premier Football League, which comes as a major boost after recent exclusions.

Highly rated youngster Zadok Yohanna, who plays in Sweden with AIK, also earned a call-up to the Super Eagles, alongside Femi Azeez, Rafiu Durosinmi, and Owen Oseni.

Wrexham goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo, who recently switched allegiance from England, was also handed his first opportunity with the national team.

Garba Lawal sends message to Super Eagles debutants

Reacting after the announcement of the list by Eric Chelle, former Super Eagles forward Garba Lawal has urged the new invitees to ensure they take their chances very seriously.

“I think I saw some mix of home based and the new foreign players which is good for the team. I hope the new players that are called upon come to showcase their talents in the squad which is very important”, Lawal said in an exclusive interview with Afrik-Foot.ng.

“When you get a national team call-up as a newcomer, you must know the intensity of the shirt, of derby and also of the competition, the fans and the rest.”

The former Santa Clara forward also went ahead to explain the differences between international football and club football, which could also play a major role in deciding whether most debutants receive future invitations to play for the Super Eagles.

“It must be in your mind that national team football is very difficult. This is because when you come as a newcomer, it’s a short term program unlike at clubs where some players are there for seven years or five years. In the national team, some players are there for long and you don’t train with them regularly, you only come for short period of time and you play and you go back.

“Sometimes, it takes some players long time before they come back. So that’s why national team football is very difficult. Whenever you’re called upon as a player and you’re given your chance, you must play and give your best 100 percent for the coach to like you as a player.

“The most important thing is the philosophy of the coach. If you’re lucky, the philosophy and the methodology along with the chemistry favours you, then fantastic. You’ll see that you’ll be coming always and get invites to the camp always.

“But when it doesn’t favour you, it becomes a problem for you to come back to the team and that’s why you have to come and give your best”, Lawal concluded.

The Unity Cup tournament will begin on May 30, with Nigeria set to face Zimbabwe in their opening match. If they progress, they will meet either India or Jamaica in the final on May 30.