Former Nigeria international Garba Lawal during an exclusive interview with Footy-Africa has said he “weeps for the young generation” of players following reports that Flying Eagles midfielder Daniel Daga has been sentenced to six months in prison in Norway.
Daga, 18, has reportedly been convicted of a non-consensual sexual offence. The Molde FK midfielder has filed an appeal against the verdict and will not be part of the club’s matchday squad until further notice.
The teenager has also been ordered to pay 10,000 kroner (approximately 1.4 million Naira) in legal costs.
‘A dented integrity’
Lawal, who represented Nigeria at two World Cups and won Olympic gold in 1996, believes the legal situation could have a devastating impact on the youngster’s career prospects and reputation.
“I read this morning that Daniel Daga was sentenced to six months in prison or something like that. If they put you for one day or for some hours, they dent your integrity,” Lawal exclusively told Footy-Africa.
“Now, if you come out now, for example, which club in Europe wants to sign him? The same thing back home here in Nigeria; they will see you as someone that doesn’t have anything in their head. It’s so unfortunate. I saw this this morning; I weep for the young coming generation of players. I just weep for them.”
Chile 2025: Four Nigerian youngsters to watch at FIFA U-20 World Cup
Lawal, who spent much of his professional career in Europe with the likes of Roda JC and Levski Sofia, warned that young African players must be “extra careful” when navigating foreign legal systems.
“You went to their country where they have the law in their hand. Anything that the girl says, they will believe her because you are in a foreigner’s posture,” Lawal explained.
“Me, I have never been attracted to those white women because I know if you are not careful enough, you end up in problems. As a young player, you need to be very careful. Women—if it’s because of women, why do you travel to Europe? You stay in Nigeria; we have beautiful women here now.”
‘Don’t you remember Akinkunmi Amoo?’
The situation draws parallels to other Nigerian talents who have faced legal hurdles abroad. Lawal noted that Daga’s situation mirrors that of Akinkunmi Amoo, another former youth international whose career stalled following legal issues in Denmark.
“The short, fast-left footer. I remember the boy. Very quick,” Lawal said of Amoo. “No one is hearing about that boy again now. Even me now, I forgot him because of this kind of problem.”
Reflecting on his own career, Lawal shared how he prioritised discipline when moving from Kaduna to Lagos to join Julius Berger in 1991.
“The first thing before I moved to Lagos, I said: ‘these girls, I should take my eyes off these girls.’ If girls took me to Lagos, I could as well stay in Kaduna. I went for a greener pasture, it’s providence, and I’m lucky God sees me through.”
A warning to future stars
Daga was a standout performer for Nigeria at the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Argentina, a tournament Lawal monitored closely from the NFF technical department.
The former utility man expressed frustration that such high-level exposure did not prevent this situation.
“Daga should have that experience because he’s with the Under-20. What do you want again? You’ve already had exposure for traveling. You were in Argentina with the Under-20 team—the Bosso team. I was there; I followed them. What makes you lose your conscience and confidence and go and do something different?”
While Molde FK have sidelined the player pending the appeal, Lawal remains skeptical about the long-term recovery of Daga’s career.
“Maybe the club can fight for him, maybe they can reduce the ban, but already the integrity is spoiled. You cannot take it back,” he concluded
