Garba Lawal: Ex-Nigeria midfielder eyes future Super Eagles job

Former Nigeria international Garba Lawal has set his sights on coaching the Nigeria national team in the future should current manager Eric Chelle vacate the post.

Chelle, who only took charge of the Super Eagles in January, is already under some form of pressure as the team struggles to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Nigeria sit six points behind Group C leaders South Africa in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers heading into the next round of games in September and October.

With only the group winner guaranteed a direct ticket to the tournament, Nigeria’s qualification hopes are hanging by a thread.

The former Roda JC midfielder spoke to PSN. “I aspire to coach the Super Eagles. Every top coach in the country harbors the ambition to lead the national team, and I’m no different. With self-belief, confidence, and God’s grace, anything is possible.”

“If I notice something the coach might have missed, I draw his attention to it. Don’t forget, I also have a background in the NFF’s technical department.”

Lawal enjoyed a glittering career that saw him play in Tunisia, the Netherlands, Portugal, Bulgaria, Sweden, Greece, and China, before returning to Nigeria in 2007.

The 51-year-old transitioned to a player-coach role with Lobi Stars in 2009, eventually becoming their assistant coach in 2013 and later the general manager of Kaduna United in 2014.