The world governing body recognised one of Nigeria’s finest ever football stars three decades after he departed this realm
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association, FIFA, has celebrated late Green Eagles midfielder Mudashiru Babatunde “Muda” Lawal on the 30th anniversary of his demise.
The world football governing body took to their official Twitter account to recognise the contribution of one of Nigeria’s greatest ever players, who died on July 6, 1991.
Writing on the social media microblogging platform, FIFA said: “Muda Lawal inspired Nigeria to their 1st AFCON title in 1980 and was the 1st player to appear in 5 successive editions of the competition.
“30 years ago today, the Super Eagles legend passed away, aged 37.”
🇳🇬 Muda Lawal inspired Nigeria to their 1st #AFCON title in 1980 and was the 1st player to appear in 5 successive editions of the competition 🏆
— FIFA (@FIFAcom) July 6, 2021
⏪ 30 years ago today the Super Eagles legend passed away, aged 37 😢 @thenff | @NGSuperEagles | @CAF_Online pic.twitter.com/K4wKGDLfOp
At the time Muda Lawal died, he was unarguably Nigeria’s greatest player.
The highly combative midfielder was barely 21 years old when he made his international debut in 1975 and helped Nigeria win the country’s first Africa Cup of Nations trophy on home soil in 1980.
The former Shooting Stars ace was the first player on the continent to appear in five successive editions of the Afcon, representing Nigeria between 1976 and 1984. He won two bronze medals, a silver medal, and a gold medal from four of these tournaments.
By the time he brought the curtain down on his national team career, Lawal was the Green Eagles’ most capped star with 86 appearances, during which time he scored 12 goals.
Lawal played his last international match on August 18, 1985, and died in his home six years later, aged 37.
A great gentleman on and off the pitch. I do not remember if he ever had a warning from a referee. He controlled the midfield with energy and intelligence.
At the final match against Algeria at the national stadium in 1980 he was made to play an attacking role and in his usual midfield. After a little nervousness in the new role, he delivered with a beautiful goal.
I am saddened that he died so young but glad that the world body remembers him.
Unfortunately he got one undeserved red when he paid for Abiola Babes.
Thanks Prof. For taking us down memory lane
A great gentleman on and off the pitch. I do not remember if he ever had a warning from a referee. He controlled the midfield with energy and intelligence.
At the final match against Algeria at the national stadium in 1980 he was made to play an attacking role and not his usual midfield. After a little nervousness in the new role, he delivered with a beautiful goal.
I am saddened that he died so young but glad that the world body remembers him.
Muda Lawal is indeed a great player
..wow! Such remembrance comes posthumously to great people, wu at legends..
Mudashiru Babatunde Lawal, the World No. 4, fine footballer and commander of the mid field, gentleman and loving man. Loves football so much. I remember he was a centre forward player, but that was changed by Nigerian football coach.
Maud Lawal said ” Father Tico said I should play ,4, and I played 4″ hahahaaaaa.
May His Soul Rest In Perfect Peace, Amen.
Muda Lawal the schemer a fine midfielder and one of Nigeria greatest footballer, sunreo Omo agboluaje.
Great player a very Nigerian adieu my hero
Thank so much to FIFA for the remembrance after decades, NFF shame on you, FIFA, thank you once again
That’s a good one! Let Nigeria be in the news for good for once. May Babatunde’s soul rest in peace. Amen.
Muda….! Archives of the all time greats!
It’s true that a prophet they say is hardly appreciated in his home, what a shame that is fifa that is remembering our own for us, shame to you all in weather it’ is NFA or nff which ever one you call your self yes shame to you all, and thank FIFA for doing what football body couldn’t do , please muda may your soul continue to rest in peace.
What a great player, a hero, an inspiration to our younger generation. RIP
I duf my hat for the master dribbler as he was called, he was also the best ball controller Nigeria has had till date
Muda Lawal, mid field maestro, the darling of football lovers of yesteryears. May your sporting soul continue to rest in peace
FIFA THANK YOU FOR THIS TRIBUTE TO A FINE GENTLE MAN ON OR OFF THE FIELD, A SMOOTH OPERATOR IN THE MIDFIELD, I REMEMBER VIVIDLY HIS FIFTY METER SHOT IN AN AWAY MATCH EITHER IN TUNISIA OR MOROCCO, I KNOW SEGUN ODEGBAMI WILL EDUCATE US ON THIS.
MUDA THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY AND THANK YOU FIFA.
Never knew we once had such a legend oh. Rest on Muda…
There are also people of greatness in the heart of good men who are not selfish with the truth just to make the world connect with greatness and assure those who are aspiring to be great that the world will never come empty…
You will live in our heart forever Mudashiru like Rasheed Yekini lives in my heart for my generation…
Midfield maestro per excellence,one of d best of his generation….tanx 4 d joy & happiness ur gave whilst playing d game we love soooo much.
RIP Oga Mudashiru Babatunde Lawal.
I remember him so well, the best 4 those days, he was my mentor. Thanks to Fifa.
Rip world 4
I have hear so much about muda lawal an exceptional midfielder the hear beat of the super Eagles Engine room at the middle of the pitch,most influential players.Thanks so much to FIFA for remembering this greatest player it,s a big shame to the NFF…..God bless FIFA Rest in peace Muda Lawal
I can’t thank you enough FIFA for remembering Mudashiru Lawal. A fine footballer of exceptional quality. He was one of Africa greatest midfielders. A midfield general of no small repute. I am joyful that I had the privilege to have watched him play in both local and continental matches. He was special. It is sad indeed that he died quite young. He will always remain a legend.
We will allow the elders talk on this one. Honestly, we no know am
Bro, honestly find any Green Eagles match and watch….Muda was a vintage midfield maestro..you can’t find a better today.
Rest on in the bosom of the almighty, Muda Lawal.
We shall always remember,…
May his soul continue to rest in peace
Yeah, we heard so much about him from the likes of his mate @ Coach Idewu who was a former Ranchers Bees player.
True..the only tools that will solves our differences is foot ball…Imagine how we all embraced this dacades of recognition by FIFA.
He was indeed a very good player may his gentle soul continue to rest in the bossom of the Lord, amen
Our own Messi at that time when discipline is part of training and delivery not when players are divided and even control coaches who are here to cut their portion of not too beautiful a cake. He tried his best for his nation and thanks to FIFA.
O God Nigeria got talents but no good government””
Muda Lawal was an exceptional player during his playing days and he pivot Nigeria to their first African Cup Nation Victory, history will not forget your keep resting in power.
I couldn’t get to watch him play, but positive news about him will not fizzle!
That is a clear pointer that he was indeed a legend…
Thank [email protected] for celebrating our own. I’ll be so surprised [email protected] officers ever checked on his family, especially his wife and children to see how they’re faring!
Attention catching & lovely comments from Prof Emmanuel Ekanem & Ezea Hillary.
FIFA thank you so much but you would have use another medium where Nigerian would have access rather than Twitter. FIFA love….. Rip Mudadiru Laval…rest on omo agboluaje.
He was a thoroughbred midfielder and known as evergreen. He was the best 4 in Africa then and a delight to watch. Rest on
So glad for this international recognition. Shows a global unity in football which makes it the beautiful game. Thanks FIFA.
No one who watched Muda on the pitch would doubt his midfield prowess. He was left as Keshi was taking over. May his soul rest in peace.
Rest on big Lawal
May your soul rest in peace. FIFA, you did noble. Nigeria can learn leadership on how to value their own from this world organization.
May his sincere soul rest in peace Amen
Rest on Mira Lawal , the hero.
Thanks Fifa
Muda Lawal was one of those who brought the game of football alive in Nigeria. He was also known to be one of the most gentle and peaceful footballers during his days in the Super Eagles. He’s greatly missed. May his soul continue to rest in peace. Amen!
What a great recognition of a field commander in football world, a man with reputable character in the pitch, rip MBL. I wish and hope that NFF will emulate such, and apply it to all our fallen heroes of the game that rules all games in the world and other field athletes. Rememberance and recognition has its way of encouragement to the living, to the upcoming talented youths. It instils a spirit of nationalism, unity and head up to the old , current and future sporting nationals. Kudos to Fifa.
Mudashiru Babatunde Lawal ex shooting stars , ex stationery stores, ex Abiola babes player, The former Green Eagles Ace midfielder with sublime ball control skills, bundle of energy, hard working, unselfish player, game reader, game changer, fine tackler, great scorer, wonderful personality, a beauty to behold with the ball at his feet, blessed with sharp turning, an indelible eye for goal, A smooth and silk operator, I missed you, may your gentle soul continue to rest in perfect peace, one of Nigeria’s finest soccer gladiator, I will continue to remember you with nostalgia, ‘your champagne soccer artistry’ with continue to be fresh in my memory……
Wooaaaahh!!!!! What a mind blowing accolades….
Thanks to FIFA for bringing this back to our memory and Lawal was a great man, a footballer who knows when to play at the right time and may his gently soul rest in peace Amen…… am happy that Nigerian our country has being mentioned for a good name.
May ur soul rest in perfect peace our darling midfield dynamo- Mudashiru Babatunde Lawal omo Egba Lisabi Agbongboakala. Sun re o, oko Yetunde.
This shows how useless the NFF and Nigeria are. They do not even care about their heroes let alone honour them. If not for FIFA a lot of folks won’t know about this Guy. Most people only know about the 1994 Winning Team and Atlantic 1996 Olympics
Though I’ve never watched him,but my in-law was always singing his name as we talk about Ronaldo and Messi now..Which proves he was a legend.Muda Lawal rest in peace.
NFF should try and immortalise our sports fallen heroes to motivate the living sportsmen and women that they will be remembered if they do well.
I salute you my hero- the great muda. Thanks to FIFA for celebrating our hero. Telling the NFF how to do it- how to do the right thing.
I salute you my hero- the great muda. Thanks to FIFA for celebrating our hero,
telling the NFF how to do it- how to do the right thing.
Thanks to FIFA for wat NFA can not tell me all what they no is about money sorry their not NFA ooo their NTA mean National Thief’s Association mumum people
Great player indeed. As a young teenager and football fan back then, I heard the expression midfield maestro for the first time from the legendary radio commentator, Ernest Okonkwo as he described the great Muda Lawal. May his gentle soul keep resting in peace.
Muda Lawal, may your soul rest in perfect peace. I don’t have the word to describe how fantastic your were on the field of play. The joy you brought to our heart during ypur play times will be bestowed on the family you left behind. Your family will not lack and happiness shall always reside with them.
Thank you FIFA for this honour accorded this our hero posthumously.
Thanks FIFA for showing the Nigeria caretakers that called themselves…. I don’t know whether NFA or NFF the way of proper administration. Someone who contributed a quota of that magnitude to our Football has no File in their office for remembrance, same as S. Okwaraji, Sam Garba and host of our late footballers. Very big Thanks to FIFA.
Greatest midfielder… Though had a limp, he was a total player and a joy to watch!
They don’t come in his mould anymore…
Mudashiru laws the midfield maestro a mercurial and a fantastic jewel of our time rest on Nigerian s of our generation can never forget you
Even though i didn’t have the priviledge to watch your matches…..History have done justice to you.
You will forever be registered in to the heart of generations yet unborn.
Good night golden hero. Until will meet and part no more.
THANK YOU FIFA for d remembrance
May his continue to rest in perfect peace
NFF na wa for Una.
I wonder when we would start honouring our heroes in dis country
RIP Muda.
Buhari hold NFF back from remembering king Muda. Buhari is not good
Good to remember him. The stadium named after him in Abeokuta needs to be renovated.
All well said, I don’t too know more of him but could remember that during 80s my father will connect his Kenwood stereo to him black and white tv with Treetop nylon and many people will be in our compound to watch.. I do here mudashiru is a a goal…..lol.. and as I saw this, I new he is the one.. reading the content , now saw he is the one…May his soul always find rest….
Thanks for the service in building the nation..
I remember maybe it was kolington or barrister who sang the song..
MUDASHIRU O
ELESE AYO
ONGBA KISA
ONGBA YEYE
MUDASHIRU..
REST ON LEGEND