Former Nigerian player Garba Lawal has called on the Super Eagles' manager, Eric Chelle, and the Nigerian Football Federation to prioritize qualifying for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, cautioning that the nation can’t tolerate another consecutive failure to reach football's most prestigious event.
Lawal, who was a member of the Super Eagles team that made it to the Round of 16 during the 1998 World Cup held in France, stated that ensuring qualification for the event should be the top priority on the NFF's list of goals, emphasizing that Nigeria's position in global soccer requires regular participation in this four-year competition.
"Qualifying for the World Cup should be our main focus. Nigeria can't risk missing another tournament as the nation deserves to be there," Lawal stated.
The ex-Super Eagles midfielder applauded the NFF's choice to prolong Chelle's agreement past the 2026 period, calling it an encouraging and essential move that would offer the French-Malian coach the consistency needed to carry out his extended plans for the squad.
Lawal contended that maintaining consistency among the technical staff is one of the key elements for Nigeria to restore its position as a top-tier football nation in Africa.
"The extended agreement provides the coach with assurance and security. It enables him to become more settled, gain a deeper understanding of the players, and develop a team for tomorrow," he stated.
The inability of Nigeria to secure qualification for the 2026 World Cup in North America continues a concerning trend for a country that had previously been seen as one of Africa's leading representatives internationally. The Super Eagles failed to make it to the 2022 tournament in Qatar following an agonizing playoff loss to Ghana based on away goals, and they faced similar heartbreak four years later, placing second behind South Africa in Group C only to fall short against the Democratic Republic of Congo during the African playoffs.
Chelle, who took office in January 2025 and received a team that had only managed three points out of four qualification games, has now significantly stabilized the group.
In 27 games under his leadership, he achieved 16 victories, nine ties, and just two losses—a performance that led to an extension of his contract even after the World Cup disappointment.
Lawal recognized the advancements achieved during Chelle's leadership but emphasized that these should now be directed toward an organized, intentional qualifying effort for the 2030 tournament, set to take place in Spain, Portugal, Morocco, and South America. He urged players, coaches, and football officials to unite around this primary objective, highlighting that long-term strategy and continuity are the two fundamental elements upon which Nigeria's resurgence at the World Cup depends.
He further emphasized that the insights gained from repeated qualification setbacks should guide the NFF and coaching team in their strategy for the upcoming campaign. He called on all involved parties to focus on the common objective rather than personal gains, ensuring the Super Eagles regain their position where Nigeria's football legacy has traditionally been honored.
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