Former Nigerian international Dimeji Lawal has called on the Super Eagles to seek stronger opposition in friendly matches, stressing that facing lower-ranked teams does little to prepare the squad for high-level competitions.
Lawal made this remark following Nigeria’s recent performances in a four-nation tournament held in Turkey, where the team recorded a 2–1 victory over Iran national football team and a 2–2 draw against Jordan national football team.
Speaking with Brila FM, Lawal criticized the quality of opposition, arguing that such matches are not a true measure of the team’s capability.
“Using Jordan and Iran as a yardstick to judge your team, I don’t think we are serious—that’s just the truth,” he said. “In any form, you can’t compare Jordan to our team.”
He emphasized that Nigeria possesses the talent and player quality needed to succeed but continues to fall short due to inadequate preparation.
“Our problem is preparation. We have the players and everything to excel, but our preparation is always lackluster. Why don’t we look for teams that will truly challenge us? That way, when qualification starts, we will be ready to measure up.”
Lawal’s comments highlight ongoing concerns about the strategic planning behind Nigeria’s international friendlies, especially as the team looks ahead to crucial qualification campaigns and major tournaments.
Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.
