Lawal: Flying Eagles will break U-20 World Cup jinx

How early did you start playing football?I started playing football right from my childhood. That is I began to play football in my primary school days. Although my late father was against it, I kept sneaking out to go and play football. When he discovered that he could not stop me, He then said I […]

How early did you start playing football?
I started playing football right from my childhood. That is I began to play football in my primary school days. Although my late father was against it, I kept sneaking out to go and play football. When he discovered that he could not stop me, He then said I should play but concentrate on my education, both Islamic and western education.  So after my secondary education, I enrolled for NEC and was paying my school fees from the salary I was collecting as a player of Sokoto United. Sometimes, my step mother used to loan money to me which I would pay back later. After I completed my NCE, I got admission into Usman Dan Fodio University but my elder brother advised me to concentrate on football. He said from football I would make money so I did not continue with my university education.
How were you invited to the Flying Eagles?
Well my invitation to the national U-20 team came to me as a big surprise. I was about to travel to Portugal on trials so I did not sign a new contract with Sokoto United. However, while waiting, my invitation to the Flying Eagles came. Then my brother said I should forget about travelling and play for my country. He said if I play for Nigeria, my value would also increase. In fact it was my friends that informed me of my invitation. When they told me, I did not believe them. So I googled and saw my name Abubakar Lawal from Sokoto United. I cannot describe my happiness when I realised I was invited to the junior national team. I said God please give me the strength and knowledge to make good use of this opportunity.
For close to a year now, you have been in the camp of the Flying Eagles. Could you describe your experience?
It has not been easy. When the camping started, we were like more than 1000 players fighting for the few available spaces. It took a lot of determination and prayers for anyone to scale through. At a stage, the list was pruned to 500 and I was still part of the team. When it was getting close to the qualifiers, the list was cut down to 30 players and the name Abubakar Lawal was still on the list. I gave thanks and praises to God and said I will continue to give my best.
Could you describe the kind of training you are getting from the national team handlers?
I tell you it has not been easy. If you are a lazy person without self discipline, you cannot last in the Flying Eagles. Every day the coaches tell us that there is no tiredness in their dictionary. We have been made to understand that to win you must keep attacking your opponents until they surrender to you. So with this orientation, we have always proved to be too strong for our opponents to stop.
So you guys were sure of winning the Super 4 in Abuja even before it was played?
Exactly, we were confident coming into the championship. We knew that no team was going to stop us. And you also saw what happened. We almost recorded a hundred per cent run. We were better prepared for the tournament. Having been together for over a year, we have blended and understood each other.
What was Flying Eagles toughest match in the tournament?
Our match against Pillars was the toughest. Although we defeated them 2-1, it was not an easy match for us. They have very experienced players but we used our fitness to subdue them.
Will the Super 4 victory spur the Flying Eagles to win the Africa Youth Championship in Senegal?
Yeah we are gradually getting set for the tournament. Our coaches have been working on the lapses they noticed during the Super 4. I am confident that by the time we hit Dakar for the Championship, we would be unstoppable. I don’t think anybody can stop us. Our dream is to conquer Africa and the World. We want to be the first to win the FIFA U-20 World Cup for Nigeria.
Let me take you back a bit, how did you get into Kano Pillars?
I believe my performance in the Flying Eagles opened the door for me. Although I received many offers, I decided to honour the invitation from Pillars because they are simply the best club in Nigeria. They invited me towards the end of last season and when I arrived some people in the club thought I was too small. However, after playing few friendly matches for Pillars, I became very popular among the fans. In the first match, I came on as a substitute and scored four goals and recorded three assists. In all I scored like 15 goals in five friendly matches. That was enough for me to be signed.
Could you describe your feeling when you played your first match for Pillars?
My first match for Pillars was a home game against Kaduna United. It was a must win match for us because defeat meant we were going to lose the title. But in the 10th minute, Kaduna United scored and it took more than 30 minutes for Pillars to equalise. In the second half, there was tension in the stands. Meanwhile, Rabiu Ali ‘Pele’ and I were on the bench. At a point the fans started shouting that they should bring on Alhaji Rabiu and Abu Lawal. Eventually we were introduced and automatically the tempo of the match increased. There was so much pressure on Kaduna United defence. Their goalkeeper was standing between us and victory but towards the end of the match, I exchanged passes with Philip Auta and created the chance for Rabiu Ali to shoot at goal. Actually I made the final contact with the shot but the goal was credited to Rabiu. In the end, we won 2-1. It was a memorable moment for me.
Do you have any suitors from Europe?
Even before I started playing for Pillars and the Flying Eagles, I have been having clubs outside Nigeria coming for me. However, I do not want to rush into any contract or deal with any club. I have people who are quite concerned about my career and they are guiding me whole heartedly. At the right time, I will make the right move.
If you are opportune to play abroad, which club will you like to join?
Well, my dream is to play in Portugal, Spain or England. I like clubs like Barcelona, Manchester United FC Porto and a host of others.
Who is your role model?
I will say Brazil’s Ronaldinho and Jay Jay Okocha. I have learnt a lot from them.
What advice do you have for other young football players?
What has kept me going is God, self discipline, hard-work and honesty. So I want them to be committed to God, be disciplined and hardworking. And they should know that honesty pays.
Finally, how has football impacted on your life?
My life revolves round football and it has done so much for me. Football has brought me fame because there is no place in Nigeria that I go that I am not recognised by at least two people. Secondly, I am educated through football. Thirdly, I am using football to eradicate poverty in my family. I don’t know how to reciprocate my mother’s love but I am doing my best to make him comfortable. Football has done so much for me.