Former Super Eagles midfielder Garba Lawal has sounded a note of warning to the team about the recent trend of starting matches slowly.

Garba Lawal, who featured for Nigeria at the 1998 World Cup, made this known in a chat with Complete Sports after the team suffered a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Czech Republic in what was the final friendly game before the World Cup tournament in Russia this summer.

In his words, Garba Lawal said: “At this level you can’t afford to be chasing games early and hope you will finish stronger to win.”

“Great teams will punish you for that in tournaments.

“It’s was the same against England where they (Super Eagles) lost 2-1. After the changes at half time the team played well but they must start well from the blast of the whistle and play well and not wait to react when they are down.

“The reaction too didn’t cause enough panic to the Czech Republic team.”

Speaking further about Gernot Rohr and his team, Garba Lawal said: “We have less than 10 days to our first game and I think that should give him enough time to get the best eleven for that game, because it will help their chances of qualifying for the next round.”