Lawal keeps faith with rookies for Real Stars

Although some may feel he was let down by his young players at the 2018 Nigeria National League Super 8 in Aba, the coach of Real Stars of Kaduna, Garba Lawal has said his faith in his greenhorns remains unshaken.

Immediately he was assigned the responsibility of coaching the team, the former international scouted for home grown talents to represent the Kaduna based club in the Nigeria National League.

Even as only a few people gave him any chance of succeeding with the unknown stars, the member of the victorious 1996 Olympics Dream Team 1 led his team to second place finish in their group.

However, at the Super 8 held in Aba at the Enyimba International stadium, Real Stars failed to clinch one of the tickets to the Nigeria Professional Football League.

When asked if he would go for ‘readymade’ materials for the coming NNL season, the JC Roda of Holland star said he has no such plan.

He said during his time, he was picked from the grassroots and given all the necessary encouragement to succeed so he will do the same now that he is in a position to encourage others.

“I have no plan to abandon my rookies for the so called tested players. I don’t believe in ready-made players.

“Already I have scouted for more young players from the grassroots to add to those who impressed me last season.

“Although we didn’t qualify for the NPFL, everybody who watched us said we were one of the best teams in the competition. We didn’t play badly so I have no reason to jettison my football philosophy,” said Lawal.