Eko Hot Blog reports that Former Nigeria winger Oladimeji Lawal has urged critics to give Super Eagles coach Finidi George space to work following the team’s 1-1 draw against South Africa on Friday.
The former Enyimba coach has faced severe criticism following the team’s 1-1 draw against South Africa in Uyo on Friday.
Hence, jeopardizing their chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
After match-day 3 of the qualifiers, the Eagles are fifth in Group C with three points from three games.
Lesotho leads with five points, while Rwanda, Benin Republic, and South Africa are tied for second with four points each.
Zimbabwe sits at the bottom with two points.
Super Eagles players after Bafana Bafana draw
Lawal, the General Manager of NPFL side Shooting Stars, defended Finidi in a lengthy statement sent to Punch correspondent.
He also shared it on his Facebook page on Saturday.
The statement, titled “Let’s give Finidi room and a chance to work,” read in part:
“Why are players released to African teams finding it difficult to be in camp as scheduled or specified?
“But Finidi has no authority to act; we all know the truth.
“Let him leave (Victor) Osimhen or (Ademola) Lookman off his list of players for not reporting to camp promptly,
“And let’s see the newspaper headlines the following day, or let him show his call log from the big guns.”
“Again, three or four of his best legs were called up and opted out over injury concerns.
“Which I am very sure some would have risked for their clubs.
“(Let Hugo Broos play without three or four of his best legs).
Oladimeji Lawal
“But I bet you, some even don’t like playing during this period because they have their holidays booked in the Caribbeans or Marbella, but sometimes that’s the truth.
“That decision is easy to make for the super-overrated brats in the national team because if we eventually qualify without them.
“They will still become the priorities going to the World Cup without even considering the coach’s angles or view.”
Lawal added, “Can any Nigerian coach be allowed to exclude Kylian Mbappe from his Olympics squad if it’s Nigeria and still keep the appointment?
“I am not defending Finidi, nor would I ever defend mediocrity, but I am saying here,
“Be it Emmanuel Amuneke, Pep Guardiola, or Jose Mourinho, no coach will survive with this polluted structure.”
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