Garba Lawal (born 22 May 1974) is a Nigerian former professional footballer who played as a winger. From 2014 to 2015, he was general manager at Kaduna United. He is with the technical department of the Nigeria Football Federation.

Club career

As a player, Lawal had his most successful time at Roda JC in the Eredivisie, in the Netherlands. He also played for Julius Berger F.C. in Nigeria and Chinese side Changsha Ginde.

In August 2009, he announced his return as a player-coach for Makurdi side Lobi Stars, He was named general manager of Kaduna United in February 2014.

International career

Lawal is regarded as one of the most versatile players in the Nigeria national team of the 1990s and early 2000s often being used for any position ranging from defence to attack on the left wing. Lawal took part at the FIFA World Cups in 1998, where he played a key role in the 3–2 win over Spain in Nigeria's first match of the tournament, and in 2002. He won the Olympic gold medal in 1996. He represented Nigeria at four editions of African Cup of Nations: 2000, 2002, 2004 and 2006, scoring in all but the first.

Post-playing career

In August 2009, Lawal was named as the assistant coach of Lobi Stars F.C. In the same year, he was employed as team coordinator for the Nigeria U17 national team.

In February 2014 he was appointed general manager at Kaduna United.

Career statistics

Scores and results list Nigeria's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Lawal goal.

List of international goals scored by Garba Lawal
No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetitionRef.
113 June 1998Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes, FranceSpain2–23–21998 FIFA World Cup
223 January 1999Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, NigeriaBurundi1–02–02000 African Cup of Nations qualification
322 April 2000National Stadium, Lagos, NigeriaEritrea2–04–02002 FIFA World Cup qualification
43 February 2002Stade du 26 Mars, Bamako, MaliGhana1–01–02002 African Cup of Nations
54 February 2004Taieb Mhiri Stadium, Sfax, TunisiaBenin1–02–12004 African Cup of Nations
69 February 2006Cairo Military Academy Stadium, Cairo, EgyptSenegal1–01–02006 African Cup of Nations

Honours

Roda JC

Levski Sofia