Port Said, Egypt (PANA) - While some of the ageing stars are using the on-going African Nations Cup as their last outing in the national team, 'old horse' Garuba Lawal has vowed to continue to maintain his form so as to remain in the national team for many more years to come.

Lawal, who was a member of Nigerian team that won the Atlanta '96 soccer gold, told PANA on Tuesday in Port Said that he does not want to follow the footsteps of some of his contemporaries who are using the on-going tournament as their valedictory outing in the national team.

"Everybody has his own goal and I wish them the best in their future endeavour. But for me, I don't really know when to call it quit with the team because, all I know is that has given me a unique strength to serve the nation tirelessly for a longer period and I am proud of this gift," Lawal explained.

Lawal says he has played under more coaches than any other player in the national team.

He boasts of having trained under Dutch man Johannes Bonfrere, Phillip Trouseir, Thigs Libregts, Bora Milutinovic, Amodu Shuaibu, Adegboye Onigbinde, Christian Chukwu and lately, Austin Eguavoen.

"Don't forget that I played under Bonferere twice, but what is important is I had a good working relationship with all of them. Hence, I cannot say one of them is the best and if any of them were to come back to handle the team again, I will not hesitate to join the team as long as it's for the glory of the nation," he affirmed.

Aside the fact that Lawal is one of the few natural left midfielders in the country, the dark skinned player can as well play effectively in the defence and this explains why most of the coaches normally want to have him in the team as a cover up in the defence.

Lawal is also endowed in strength because he can run tirelessly for 90 minutes probing the opponents' vital area and at the same time run back to help effectively to cover up for his team in the defence.

"I am always punctual whenever invitations are sent out for camping. I don't like to delay, hence it is natural for coaches to consider me in their team if I am in good form, and I hope to be in the Super Eagles team to play at the World Cup finals in South Africa 2010, if God still give me the strength to play," Lawal added.