Lawal blames Eagles slip on Yobo

Category: Sports Published on Wednesday, 23 January 2013 06:00

As reactions continue to trail Super Eagles 1-1 draw against Burkina Faso on Monday in the ongoing 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, former international, Garba Lawal has laid the blame for the team’s failure to pick the maximum points on Eagle’s captain, Joseph Yobo.

Super Eagles took the lead early in the first half but playing a man down when Efe Ambrose was sent off for a second yellow card, the Nigerians caved in to pressure from the Burkinables in the last minute of added time to bring scores to 1-1.

Speaking to Trustsports yesterday, the member of the victorious 1996 Atlanta Olympic Dream Team 1 said the captain of the team failed to provide the necessary leadership for the team as he said Yobo did not show enough confidence to motivate his less experienced mates.

Lawal said the former Everton of England defender committed so many tactical blunders which would have cost the Eagles greatly if they were playing against formidable countries like Cameroon, Algeria, Ivory Coast or Morocco.

The former Super Eagles utility player said he expected the captain to lead by example but instead he put up a dismal performance by exposing the defence to undue pressure by committing elementary errors.

“I want to blame Joseph Yobo for most of the problems that the Eagles suffered. As the captain of the team, I expected him to lead by example but he did not. Instead he committed so many errors that kept the defence under pressure.

“Had it been they played against a country like Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Algeria or Morocco, they would have been buried totally because of the mistakes that Yobo committed. He did not inspire confidence in the team”.

Lawal said the Eagles have played themselves into a tight corner and would have to do something special to wriggle themselves free, if they are to progress in the championship.