Former Super Eagles and Santa Clara midfielder Garba Lawal has revealed that NPFL Champions Rangers International have a lot of work if they're to compete on the African Continent, Soccernet.ng reports.
Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu led the Enugu-based side to their second league title in three years, secured after their final Matchday 38 2-1 win over Ikorodu City at the Mobolaji Johnson Stadium in Onikan.
The NPFL triumph guarantees an automatic CAF Champions League ticket for Rangers, but Garba believes there's so much work yet to be done for Ilechukwu's men to transcend their domestic success to the continental level.
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“Look at Enugu Rangers—their recruitment for next season has to be massive. It makes no sense to win the league, play one round on the continent, and get knocked out,” Garba Lawal said in an interview with Footy Africa.
“That is entirely pointless. The moment you secure a continental ticket, your mentality, philosophy, and methodology must completely shift. You are no longer just playing for a club; you are representing the nation,” the 52-year-old continued.
On a larger scale, the Atlanta 96 Olympic-winner admitted the NPFL need proper investment to keep their best talents in the league, while improving the infrastructure.
“With proper funding, our league can attract top continental talent again, just like the days when Ghanaian stars flooded the Nigerian league,” Lawal noted.
“But our current crop of players must understand that the continent is a completely different ball game. Winning the domestic league is just the baseline.
Garba Lawal weighs in on NPFL, CAF Champions League low awareness
Mamelodi Sundowns defeated Moroccan side AS FAR in the CAF Champions League final ten days ago, but Lawal was frank in his opinion of the biggest final in Africa's club competitions, claiming several people weren't aware that a game of such magnitude was being played.
“Many people don’t even know these matches are happening,” the ex-Roda JC midfielder lamented.
“The media coverage remains incredibly poor compared to how UEFA competitions are broadcast. This is Africa’s premier club competition—our equivalent of the European Champions League—yet it is treated so lightly.
“Unless you actively follow African football, you probably wouldn’t even know the final between AS FAR and Mamelodi Sundowns was taking place.
“CAF needs to do more. They must invest serious effort into promoting African football properly,” Garba Lawal concluded.
Remo Stars, meanwhile, lifted the NPFL title last season and have been relegated to the NNL after finishing the campaign just a point below 16th place.
