Garba Lawal makes case for utility Uche Agbo ahead of Ogenyi Onazi

Former Super Eagles midfielder player, ‘Mr. Garba Lawal’ has suggested that he would rather have a utility player like Uche Agbo in his team than have Trabzonspor midfielder Ogenyi Onazi.

Garba Lawal who had 57 caps for Super Eagles while playing either as a left midfield and later in his career as a left back between 1997-2006 believes is ‘particularly sad’ that Standard Liege utility man Uche Agbo didn’t make the squad to Russia.

The former Roda of Holland midfielder couldn’t fathom why Uche Agbo can multiple roles was overlooked by Gernot Rohr despite the fact that he wasn’t given a chance to prove himself.

Garba Lawal whose goal for Nigeria in France 98 retired Spanish legendary goalie, Andoni Zubizarreta, while reacting to the inclusion of Ogenyi Onazi said he would have taken the versatile Uche Agbo.

“I am particularly sad that a player like Uche Agbo, who played week in, week out for his club, Standard Liege of Belgium was not given a chance to prove his worth.

“This guy is a utility player, who as a defensive midfielder, can also operate as a defender in the middle and at both wings.

“Yet such talent was dropped without a look in. I still believe there are qualities in the team that can make us proud in Russia.”

Garba Lawal who alongside Fanny Amun, Victor Ikpeba, Mutiu Adepoju are members of the NFF technical committee revealed that they weren’t consulted before Gernot Rohr submitted his final 23-man squad for Russia 2018.

“I got to know about the list on the social media like every other Nigerian. And I was surprised that the technical committee was not told about the list before it was made public.

“It seems we don’t know what we are doing. Rohr is the one that can answer Nigerians why members like Fanny Amun, Victor Ikpeba, Mutiu Adepoju were not consulted.

“At this moment, whether we say yes to Rohr’s list or not, there is nothing we can do again since the final squad has be named,” he said.