Super Eagles Players Are Overhyped — Dimeji Lawal Reacts To Defeat

Former Nigeria international Dimeji Lawal has criticised the Super Eagles following their 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, attributing the loss to what he described as an overreliance on overhyped players.

According to Bush Radio Academy, Nigeria suffered a heavy defeat in Bissau on Tuesday, September 29, with Franculino Djú, Mama Baldé and Álvaro Djaló scoring for the hosts at the Estádio 24 de Setembro. The victory moved Guinea-Bissau to the top of Group L with six points, while Nigeria remained on three points after opening the campaign with a 2-1 victory over Madagascar.

Speaking after the match, Lawal questioned Nigeria’s approach to recruiting foreign-born players and suggested that some players may struggle to adapt to the demands and style of African football.

“We have too many overhyped players and a country that goes after every foreign-born player; once we see players with Nigerian names, we run after them,” Lawal said during an appearance on BRILA Media.

The former Flying Eagles midfielder argued that African football presents different challenges from European football and said Nigeria needed to take those differences into consideration when selecting players for the national team.

Lawal also drew comparisons with previous generations of Super Eagles players, citing former internationals such as Austin Okocha and Daniel Amokachi. According to him, those players gained experience in African football before establishing themselves in Europe.

He further warned against treating any African opponent as an easy opponent, stressing that the development of football across the continent means Nigeria can no longer expect guaranteed victories against supposedly less-fancied teams.

“For a very long time I knew there was nothing like pushovers anymore, and when you look at the results, it shows that if you don’t hold your own, you will find it very difficult,” he said.

The defeat represents Nigeria’s first loss in the current qualifying campaign and leaves the Super Eagles needing to recover in their remaining fixtures. CAF has confirmed that Tanzania, one of the tournament’s co-hosts, is already qualified, meaning Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau and Madagascar are competing for the remaining qualifying place from Group L.

Nigeria’s next qualifier is scheduled for November 11, when the Super Eagles are expected to host Tanzania in Uyo.