Garba Lawal (born 22 May 1974) is a Nigerian former professional footballer who played as a left midfielder. In 2014 he became general manager at Kaduna United and left his role in 2015. 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. 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. Honours Roda JC KNVB Cup: 1996–97, 1999–2000 Levski Sofia Bulgarian Cup: 2002–03 References 1974 births Living people Nigerian footballers Association football midfielders Nigeria international footballers Olympic footballers of Nigeria Olympic gold medalists for Nigeria Footballers at the 1996 Summer Olympics Footballers at the 2000 Summer Olympics Olympic medalists in football Medalists at the 1996 Summer Olympics 1998 FIFA World Cup players 2000 African Cup of Nations players 2002 FIFA World Cup players 2002 African Cup of Nations players 2004 African Cup of Nations players 2006 Africa Cup of Nations players Tunisian Ligue Professionnelle 1 players Eredivisie players First Professional Football League (Bulgaria) players Liga Portugal 2 players Allsvenskan players Chinese Super League players Super League Greece players C.D. Santa Clara players Changsha Ginde players Espérance Sportive de Tunis players IF Elfsborg players Iraklis Thessaloniki F.C. players Bridge F.C. players Lobi Stars F.C. players PFC Levski Sofia players Roda JC Kerkrade players Nigerian football managers Lobi Stars