Garba Lawal – Brazil 2014: I am afraid of Iran, Bosnia

How would you describe the level of preparation of Nigeria for the 2014 FIFA World Cup?My concern is that most of the players are not playing regularly for their clubs. And where players are not making impact in their clubs, it is difficult to know how good they are. World Cup is a whole new […]

How would you describe the level of preparation of Nigeria for the 2014 FIFA World Cup?
My concern is that most of the players are not playing regularly for their clubs. And where players are not making impact in their clubs, it is difficult to know how good they are. World Cup is a whole new ball game. However, some players who are not playing regularly for their clubs could click in the national team. I don’t know whether this current generation is going to be like some of us when we played. Some players weren’t playing regularly but when they came to national team, they became functional. I hope it would be the same if not we are going to have problem because most of our players are always on the bench in their foreign clubs. For example Mikel and Moses aren’t playing regularly for their clubs. So, it is going to be difficult. Unfortunately, some of the players like Ikechukwu Uche, Victor Anichebe who are playing regularly may not be in Keshi’s plan. I know how difficult it is to organize World Cup team because I have been there in 1998 and 2002.
Are you saying players who play regularly in their clubs should be given priority when it comes to selection?
Normally, it should be like that because they play week in, week out, you see them and you feel them. They are in some of the top football leagues in Europe but when they are not playing, you don’t know their current form.
Is it safe to also pick up players from the local league for the World Cup?
Whether you like it or not, we all started from home, we also started from the league here, I remember I played for Julius Berger for three years, from 1992 to 1994 in Lagos. I started from amateur NUB, (Nigeria Universal Bank) here, so, we all started from home. Of course, we have some quality players at home. Still you have to go play abroad because that is where real football is being played. Moreover, a player that is playing outside the country is more exposed than a local player, which is normal.
What do you have to say about reports that the NFF is imposing players like Ikechuwkwu Uche and Osaze Odemwingie on Keshi?
It is not true that players are being imposed on the coach. He has the final say but the committee is free to make suggestions. We have players who are visible and are playing week in week out. Such players can be recommended if they are excluded but in the end the coach will decide on who should play and there is nothing one can do.
Does Keshi have what is required to lead Eagles to Brazil?
That was why he was appointed as a manager and he did well in 2013 AFCON and I hope they will forget about the success in South Africa because World Cup is different entirely.  But I am afraid of Iran and Bosnia that are grouped alongside Nigeria and Argentina.
What are your reasons?
My reason is that if we lose the final group match against Argentina, it will be less painful since we already know they are bigger than us. If too much attention is paid to Argentina, Iran and Bosnia would surprise us.
There was budgetary proposal for the payment of $10,000 dollars to players as match bonuses and $12,500 if they reach round of 16 as well as $15,000 in quarter final. Do you think this will motivate players?
I read the budget in the newspapers too. I am a Technical Committee member; I know nothing about that. Maigari was there, he is the one to explain.
Motivation is important in sports and if a player wins, he should be rewarded so that he can do more. It will certainly motivate the players because they know if they got to a stage, they will get certain reward.
What is your assessment of the chances of Nigeria, Argentina, Iran and Bosnia in group F?
I don’t know much about Iran but I watch European league always and I believe they call players that are playing at their club sides; that is the judgment of all the teams in Europe and South America. But in our own case, our players are not playing in their club sides, they are always on the bench, like Mikel and Moses. I can’t remember when last I saw Moses playing because he is always on the bench. Mikel plays for only five or ten minutes, which is not enough and that is my concern.
Is it possible for Nigeria to win the 2014 World Cup?
Well, it all depends on the kind of players we have and what they want to achieve. It’s like the Olympics. Nobody gave us a chance in 1996. You know the kind of players Brazil and co came with but we know we have a strong team and we respected those teams because we know they were very strong, maybe stronger than us. Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Portugal, France, we know they are all very strong but we believed in ourselves. So I think if they also can believe in themselves and they know this is their time, they should take advantage of the opportunity. If they can do that, the sky will be their limit but it is going to be difficult. When we won the 1996 Olympic gold medal, the white men didn’t believe their eyes, they thought it was a dream but it was just God.