Former Super Eagles star Garba Lawal has told AfricanFootball.com Nigeria lost to France in the Brazil 2014 round of 16 on account of coach Stephen Keshi’s poor tactics.

Lawal, who featured at the 1998 and 2002 World Cups, said the injury to Ogenyi Onazi exposed the team and that poor substitution was made in his place.

He also blamed the team’s lack of character for the 2-0 loss to France.

“I can say Eagles lost to France because coach Stephen Keshi lacked tactical knowledge. When an important player is injured, there must be a very good option in same frame with the player to come on, but that was not to be in the game,” said Garba, who is on the technical committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

“We all saw the French substitution, (Olivier) Giroud was replaced by Antoine Greizemann, who made the attack stronger and scored a goal.

“Eagles also lacked character. The French allowed us to play in the first half and we couldn’t punish them with goals, we started well but didn’t have the attitude to carry on the same way.”

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