Side-by-side image showing former Super Eagles midfielder Dimeji Lawal in a black suit on the left and four Nigeria national team players in green and white kits posing on a rainy pitch on the right
Dimeji Lawal and the Super Eagles players line up photo edited by Naija Football Daily


Former Super Eagles midfielder Dimeji Lawal has criticised Nigeria’s national team after their 3-0 loss to Guinea-Bissau in a 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier. 

The match took place on Tuesday at the Estádio 24 de Setembro in Bissau. Guinea-Bissau scored through Franculino Djú in the first half, followed by goals from Mama Baldé and Álvaro Djaló after the break. The result left the hosts top of Group L with six points while Nigeria sat second on three points, following an earlier 2-1 win over Madagascar.

Speaking on BRILA Media, Lawal said the squad contains too many overhyped players and pointed to Nigeria’s habit of chasing foreign-born talents with Nigerian names. He noted that African football differs sharply from the European game and that this gap remains a basic problem. 

Lawal recalled that earlier stars such as Austin Okocha and Daniel Amokachi built their foundations in African football before moving to Europe. He asked what the current approach offers when the team recruits players who have never set foot on Nigerian soil and then expects them to handle the demands of continental matches.

Lawal also expressed disappointment that Nigeria failed to take the game to the hosts and created few chances. He still believes the Super Eagles can top the group, stressing that several fixtures remain and that the setback is not final.