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Lawal Urges Mikel to Offer Solutions Instead of Criticising Nigerian Football
Former Nigerian international and immediate past General Manager of Shooting Stars Sports Club, Oladimeji Lawal, has advised former Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel to temper his criticism of Nigerian football and instead use his wealth of experience to contribute practical ideas that can help improve the game.
Lawal made the remarks on the SPORTWORD WhatsApp platform while reacting to recent comments attributed to Mikel on the administration of football in Nigeria.
The former winger said the realities of football administration are often more complex than they appear, noting that several ex-internationals who transitioned into coaching and administrative roles eventually discovered the challenges involved.
“Over the last few years, many ex-internationals have been given opportunities to coach or serve as football administrators. My conclusion is that it’s very easy to drive a car with the mouth. You will never be involved in an accident because you can always press the brake pedal with your mouth,” Lawal said.
According to him, identifying problems within the football system is easier than providing workable solutions.
“Many critics are quick to point out weaknesses and shortcomings, but only a few can offer practical solutions. Podcasts provide a platform to express opinions freely to a global audience, but confronting the realities on the ground is an entirely different challenge,” he added.
Lawal urged Mikel to direct his criticism towards the structural issues affecting Nigerian football rather than making sweeping remarks about Nigerians.
“Mikel should focus more on the system than on Nigerians. This country is blessed with brilliant minds, but systemic challenges often frustrate even the best visions and efforts,” he stated.
The former international also argued that the responsibility for Nigerian football’s struggles should not rest solely on administrators, insisting that players must equally accept accountability for some of the decisions that have contributed to the game’s challenges.
“You cannot fairly condemn the system without also mentioning individuals like Mikel and some privileged players who benefited from it when it worked in their favour. How do you blame only the system while ignoring players who boycotted training days before crucial World Cup qualifiers over financial disputes? Given what was at stake for both themselves and the nation, that decision was penny wise and pound foolish,” he said.
Lawal further questioned Mikel’s contribution to grassroots football development since retiring from professional football.
“I am not aware of any football academy or facility established by Mikel in Nigeria. Yet, he remains one of the loudest voices criticising and condemning the system,” he remarked.
While acknowledging the need for reforms in Nigerian football, Lawal cautioned against portraying the country negatively in the process.
“We certainly need change, but not by tearing down the nation that gave you the platform to succeed. Rather than damaging the country’s image, we should work together by putting forward meaningful ideas and practical solutions that will take Nigerian football to greater heights,” Lawal concluded.
