By Isaac Afolabi
For weeks now, the Nigeria football federation has been hit with allegations of bribe as revealed by some former players against certain coaches.
1996 gold medalist and a former super eagles midfielder , Garba Lawal spoke exclusively to Blitzik sports on how the football body , NFF should handle the accusations.
The case of bribery either in form of match fixing or to get a call up has been with the round leather game for a long time.
Many coaches and players have been caught in the web,some were punished while others without any proof were freed
An example, a former super eagles Dickson Etuhu and coach Salisu Yusuf who was suspended for a while but presently making a return as the head coach of Enugu Rangers.
The latest revelation started when Chinedu Ogbuke a former super eagles player alleged that the late coach Stephen Keshi induced by bribery dropped him from the national teams’ camp for another player, an allegation that was supported by other compatriots like Taye Taiwo.
The former national team utility player, Garba Lawal however frowned at the revelations calling on NFF to rather focus on its programs and not give in to what he described as a distraction.
Lawal who was in the 1998 and 2002 world cup team for Nigeria challenged Ogbuke to name those involved in the bribery scandal.
He also cautioned young and present crop of players in the national team to be disciplined, hard working and also make use of any opportunity that would make them thrive on the pitch.
Garba Lawal a former Espirance of Tunisia player expressed displeasure over Obasi’s allegation saying the same chinedu Obasi was favored in 2010 over Michael Eneramo but never complained then.
Lawal said only players who do not believe in their ability gives bribe.
The former Lobi stars coach/players challenge present super eagles’ players and young ones never to give bribe on their way to stardom but work hard and be consistence on the pitch to earn a place
Garba Lawal known as a utility player who played under several coaches in the national team said he never bribed anyone for a place in the national team and that no real tactician can ignore a hardworking coach anywhere.
The former world cup star further charged footballers to always make use of their opportunity to play for the nation.
if not privileged to be selected into the team, such player should wait patiently for another opportunity with absolute trust in God.