AFCON 2025
Garba Lawal, the veteran Nigerian midfielder cum winger, has explained why Paul Onuachu continues to shine for Trabzonspor but struggles to replicate that form with the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
Onuachu has been in the national team of Nigeria for close to a decade but has not exactly tied down a permanent spot as the lead striker of the team, even though he has done pretty well for the club sides he has played for within the given period.
Paul Onuachu is in pole position to win the Player of the Season and Golden Boot in the Turkish Super Lig this season. The 31-year-old striker has registered 22 league goals this season, according to Transfermarkt. However, Onuachu performs markedly differently for the Super Eagles, scoring only 4 goals in 34 appearances.
Garba Lawal attributes Onuachu’s club-level success largely to regular playing time and tactical understanding. At Trabzonspor, the team practically plays to his strengths, particularly his ability to dominate in the air and his ability to hold up play.
This approach enables him to deliver in front of the goal consistently. Regular game time and structured attacking patterns allow the former Genk striker to maintain confidence, which helps him score more goals.
Lawal referred to former Super Eagles striker Jonathan Akpoborie, who also struggled in the national team but was consistent with his teams in Europe during his career.
He also added that the lack of time to gel and adapt to a tactical setup in the national team contributes to a player’s performance in the national team.
This approach enables him to deliver in front of the goal consistently. Regular game time and structured attacking patterns allow the former Genk striker to maintain confidence, which helps him score more goals.
At the club level, you have the luxury of time and consistent minutes to find your rhythm. With the national team, you don’t have time to gel; you might only get two or three sessions before a match. If you don’t produce instantly, you risk being dropped.”
It’s important to remember that national team football is a different ball game. Even in my day, we had strikers like Jonathan Akpoborie, who struggled internationally but would return to his club and score a brace or a hat-trick immediately.” he told Footy Africa.
