Eko Hot Blog reports that former international Dimeji Lawal has defended Golden Eaglets head coach Manu Garba after the team’s semi-final defeat at the WAFU U-17 Nations Cup in Accra, Ghana.
The Eaglets’ 1-0 defeat to Ivory Coast on Saturday may result in their failure to qualify for the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations and subsequently the U-17 World Cup.
However, CAF has yet to clarify whether only the finalists, as in previous years, or additional teams will qualify for the U-17 AFCON, as speculated.
If CAF adheres to the old rule, the young Nigerians will miss out on the U-17 AFCON, which serves as the qualifier for the World Cup.
In response to a Facebook post by Punch correspondent on Sunday, 3SC General Manager Dimeji Lawal.
Said that the Nigeria Football Federation should be held responsible for the team’s failure.
He said this due to its last-minute approach to tournament preparations.
In addition to offering some guidance, the former Nigeria winger criticized those placing the blame on Garba.
”Major blame should go to the football house; the fire brigade approach in football doesn’t work again; timely and proper preparation is the key.”
The former winger, who represented Nigeria at the 1987 U-17 World Cup in Canada and the 1989 U-20 World Cup in Saudi Arabia, said.
Lawal added, “In my Eaglets, it took us almost two years to get the best from all nooks and corners of Nigeria.
“We were thoroughly screened and tutored for the competition proper.
“You have to be the best to make the team.
“Every time we lose a major tournament, we quickly condemn and castigate our coaches.
“As if there is perfection in coaching or other jobs.
“Patients do die in the best hospitals, under the guidance of the best surgeons and experts.
“A game of football must come with three results: win, draw or lose; sometimes the best doesn’t even get the best of results.
“That’s why it’s a game. Arteta had nothing to show for the season, but Ten Hag won a major trophy.
”Garba is not a novice; he had done brilliantly well in this competition not once but twice.
Golden Eaglets of Nigeria
“Losing now should not make him a bad coach. This coach also needs some respect and respite.
He added, ”Nigerians with the attitude of pride, as if we own every cup.
“Your father’s farm can only be the biggest because you have not seen other people’s farms.
“In a game of football, you will always be better on the stage.
Nigeria’s title defense began with a shaky start, managing only a goalless draw against Burkina Faso.
However, they offered their fans a glimmer of hope with a 1-0 victory over Niger Republic in their second Group B game
Hence, they concluded their preliminary matches with an impressive 3-0 win over Togo.
However, the five-time world champions fell short in the semi-finals, where the dynamic young Elephants of Ivory Coast outplayed them in a 1-0 defeat.
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