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Former Super Eagles midfielder Garba Lawal has said that his criticisms of Stephen Keshi were never personal, but his way of 'helping' the embattled Super Eagles coach. Garba Lawal has also expressed regret at how Keshi took the criticisms personal.
Speaking in an interview, Lawal also added that he only meant well and was always saying the truth to Keshi, as Nigeria's failure to qualify for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations has proven.
"I wasn't after his job, but I was helping him to change but he took it personal and if he took it personal, that's his own problem but I know the national team is for all of us. At least I tried to advise from the little knowledge I have in the game.
"I keep telling people that I'm not criticizing Keshi and I don't have anything against him, but I was just telling him the truth and he refused to listen and at the end of the day, where are we now?
"It's sad that the African champions will not be at the Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea next year. It's sad I tell you, it's sad," he said regretfully.
The former Roda JC of Holland midfielder has been one of Keshi's fiercest critics and it was no surprise that the 'Big Boss' kicked against having the former Nigeria international as the Super Eagles team coordinator when he was named by Amaju Pinnick.