Former Super Eagles winger, Garba ‘Chindo’ Lawal has taken a swipe at the home-based Eagles for their 4-1 loss away to Togo in Sunday’s first leg of their Championship of African Nations (CHAN 2020) qualifier, megasportsarena.com reports.
Although many observers have fingered delayed commencement of action in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), which must have left the players rusty, as a reason behind the shock defeat in Lome, Lawal stressed that the home-based Eagles have no basis for any excuses, as he reckons that they should have used their talent to make a difference.
He stated further during Mega Sports on Star 101.5 FM, Lagos that Nigeria’s stronger and richer football pedigree ahead of Togo should have also boosted the Eagles’ confidence and efforts against The Hawks, who he also noted are facing difficulties in their domestic league, which has been riddled with crises for several years.
The former Roda JC Kerkrade of Holland star posited that the Nigerian team’s coach, Imama Amapakabo now has a task on his hands to ensure the players turn the table around during the second leg in Nigeria, while also pointing out that the lads need to rise up to the occasion for the sake of their careers and futures in the national team.
Lawal declared: “They have no reason to lose the way they did. Nigeria is not in the same class with Togo, even their league is not as strong as our own. So, why should they beat us that way?
“That is a result that is damaging for their careers. In fact, our players have no excuse for this defeat. They just have to redeem themselves in the second leg at home.”
