Super Eagles should not underestimate South African players – Ex-international player warns
Garba Lawal, a former Super Eagles player, has expressed his views on the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) semi-final match between the Super Eagles and South Africa.
Lawal, who was a part of the squad that achieved the 1996 Olympic gold medal and the 2000 African Cup of Nations, shared his thoughts during a weekend appearance on the sports programme “Sharhin Wasanni” on Solacebase TV.
According to Lawal, the Super Eagles should not underestimate the upcoming match as it is expected to be tough.
He emphasised that the players should be aware of the high expectations from Nigerians and should approach the match with utmost seriousness.
READ ALSO: Super Eagles striker Osimhen joins teammates for clash with S’Africa after abdominal discomfort
“South Africa is a strong opponent, but we have faced them before and we know their weaknesses. We have to play with confidence, discipline, and passion. We have to support our players and coach with positive energy and prayers. We have to show the world that we are a proud nation and a force to reckon with in African football,” he said.
He urged Nigerians to exercise patience over the absence of Super Eagles Captain, Ahmed Musa on the pitch since the beginning of the tournament as the coach knows what he is doing and he will not do anything that will jeopardize the success of the team.
“Ahmed Musa is still the captain of the team, and he still plays a role in the match. The coach will put Ahmed on the pitch when he finds the right time,” he said.
The ex-international player urged Nigerians to forget about the number of goals that the Super Eagles scored, as many fans are worried that the scored goals are too minimal, but according to him, what matters is winning.
“To me, it doesn’t matter how many goals the Super Eagles scored, what matters is that they won, and I hope they will continue to win,” he said.
Nigeria and South Africa clash is scheduled for 6.00 pm Nigeria time kick-off on Wednesday, February 7, 2024.
The match will take place at Stade de la Paix in Bouake.
