Supporters Club honours Muda Lawal 30 years after death

The Nigeria Football Supporters Club (NFSC) has honoured Mudashiru Lawal, one of the country’s football legends, with a posthumous award of patriotism, 30 years after his death.

Muda Lawal, as he is fondly remembered, died in his home in Ibadan, Oyo state capital, on July 6, 1991 at the age of 37.

He wore the jersey number 4 shirt for the Eagles for 11 years, guiding Nigeria to its first African Cup of Nations (AFCON) title at the National Stadium, Surulere, in 1980.

The storied midfielder was the first African player to appear in five consecutive AFCON tournaments from 1976 to 1984.

He also held the record of being Nigeria’s most capped player for 25 years, with 86 appearances and 12 goals, until it was equalled by Nwankwo Kanu in 2010 and subsequently broken by Joseph Yobo and Vincent Enyeama — with 101 appearances each.

While commemorating the 30th anniversary of his death, NFSC visited his family and honoured the deceased with a posthumous award for his patriotic exploits on the pitch.

Peter Ejiofor, the supporters club’s media officer, released a statement to this effect on Saturday.

“The club’s National Chairman, Samuel Ikpea, presented the award to the family when members of NFSC visited to sympathise with the family of Lawal at their Abeokuta residence on Friday during the 30th remembrance of his death,” the statement reads.

“In his tribute to the late Green Eagles football legend, Ikpea described Muda as a patriotic and great footballer in his lifetime.

“Muda was a true patriot and great footballer whose service to his nation was unbeaten and legendary.

“Thirty years after, this great footballer’s exploits and artistry on the field of play remains fresh in our memories.

“The NFSC and the teeming fans cannot forget his towering achievements in the field of play during your games.”