Former Nigeria international Garba Lawal has called on Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle and the Nigeria Football Federation to put qualifying for the 2030 FIFA World Cup at the top of their list. He warned that Nigeria cannot miss out on this big tournament for a third time in a row.
Lawal was part of the Super Eagles team that reached the round of 16 at the 1998 World Cup in France. He said that getting a spot in the tournament should be more important than any other goals the NFF has. He believes Nigeria deserves to be at the World Cup based on its history in football.
“World Cup qualification must be our top priority. Nigeria cannot afford to miss another edition because the country belongs on that stage,” Lawal said.
The former Super Eagles midfielder supported the NFF's decision to extend Chelle’s contract beyond the 2026 cycle. He sees this as a good move that will help Chelle have the stability he needs to carry out his long-term plans for the team.
Lawal pointed out that having a stable technical crew is very important for Nigeria to regain its place among Africa’s best football nations. “The contract extension gives the coach confidence and stability. It allows him to settle down, understand the players better and build a team for the future,” he said.
Nigeria's failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup in North America added to a worrying trend for a country that used to be a leader in African football. The Super Eagles missed the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after a painful loss to Ghana on away goals. They faced another setback four years later, finishing second to South Africa in Group C and then losing to the Democratic Republic of Congo on penalties in the African playoffs.
Chelle took charge in January 2025, stepping in to manage a team that had only three points from four qualifying matches. Since then, he has worked to stabilize the team. In 27 international matches as head coach, he has recorded 16 wins, nine draws, and only two losses. This performance helped him earn a contract renewal despite the World Cup disappointment.
Lawal recognized the progress made under Chelle but stressed that this momentum must focus on a solid plan for the 2030 World Cup, which will take place in Spain, Portugal, Morocco, and South America. He urged players, coaches, and football officials to align their efforts toward this goal. He emphasized that careful planning and consistency are key to Nigeria returning to the World Cup.
He also mentioned that the lessons learned from the last two qualification failures should shape how the NFF and the coaching staff prepare for the next campaign. He urged everyone involved to put the team's interests first and make sure the Super Eagles return to a stage where Nigeria's football history has always shone.
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