BY JUDE OPARA, ABUJA
Ahead of the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup cracker between the Flying Eagles of Nigeria and their counterparts from Brazil, a former Nigerian international, Garba Lawal has advised the Coach Manu Garba tutored side to believe in themselves that they can defeat the South Americans.

Nigerian players pose before the final football match of the 2015 African U-20 Championships Senegal against Nigeria, on March 22, 2015 in Dakar. AFP PHOTO

Lawal told Sports Vanguard in Abuja that the current African Youth Championship (AYC) winners must realize that the world stage is quite different from the continental games hence they must be ready to face any opposition no matter where they come from.

He however expressed his confidence that the boys who have remained consistent right from their U-17 days will be able to give a good account of themselves especially if they continue to play like a team. “For me I have confidence in the U-20 boys because they have remained consistent, also they can run and attack and to win a tournament you must win in every game whether you like it or not and I only hope they can continue that way because football is all about continuity.

“And talking about playing Brazil in the first match, I will say that they are Brazil and we are Nigeria. In the Atlanta 1996 Olympics, we never thought we could defeat Mexico, defeat the same Brazil in the semi finals before beating Argentina with the likes of Ortega in the final. So I think that if they believe in themselves definitely they will go far. So whether you like it or not you have to play Brazil at any point in the championship.” On the dwindling fortunes of Nigerian players abroad, the former FC Roda player said it all depends on the penchant of the players to jump at any offer that comes their way.

“It all depends on the players we have, while we believe they can play the big clubs don’t consider them good enough but I insist it is the same players that should help themselves, if you want to succeed in life it is you and not me. But I believe the real issue is about commitment and lack of sacrifices on their part.”

Lawal also advised the players to always seek professional advice before accepting to sign for any club irrespective of what the agent may preach because it is all about the future of the player in question and not the agent.