Tobias Lawal’s dream of representing the Super Eagles has come to an end as he has been called up by the Austrian national team for the 2024 Euro qualifiers against Estonia and a friendly game against Germany. The 23-year-old goalkeeper, currently contracted to LASK, received his debut call-up from Austrian head coach Ralf Rangnick, putting an end to the Nigeria Football Federation’s efforts to secure his allegiance.
Born in Linz, Austria, to Nigerian and Austrian parents, Lawal had previously received an invitation from former Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr in 2020. However, due to passport issues, he couldn’t fulfill the call-up. Lawal had already represented Austria at the junior level, making his debut for the Austria Under-21 team in June 2021 against Estonia in a European U-21 Championship qualifier.
Despite hopes that Lawal might strengthen the Super Eagles’ goalkeeping lineup, his call-up to the Austrian national team has closed that chapter. The head coach of the Austrian team, Ralf Rangnick, praised Lawal’s performances with LASK in both the league and the Europa League, expressing the team’s intent to give him the opportunity to showcase his skills.
Lawal’s inability to possess both Nigerian and Austrian passports marks the end of Nigeria’s hopes for his inclusion in the Super Eagles. With 20 starts this season, conceding 19 goals and keeping seven clean sheets for LASK, Lawal’s reliability in goal has not gone unnoticed. If he features in the game against Estonia on November 16, it could mark his senior team debut for Austria, making him the second player of Nigerian descent in the Austrian national team after David Alaba.
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