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Tag: Ahmed Musa

  • I gave everything , says  Governor’ Musa  after Int’l retirement

    I gave everything , says  Governor’ Musa  after Int’l retirement

    Ahmed Musa, Nigeria’s most capped international footballer with 111 appearances, has  announced his retirement from the Super Eagles , ending a 15-year success-laden  career with the national team.

    Musa was part of the Super Eagles squad that won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and became Nigeria’s highest World Cup goal scorer with four goals, including memorable braces against Argentina in 2014 and Iceland in 2018.

    Musa who played  across clubs in Nigeria, Holland, Russia, England and Turkey; and fondly called the ‘Governor’ for his charismatic leadership, said he  did his best wearing the national team’s colour.

    “I wore this badge with pride for 15 years,” stated the 33- year-old  on his social media account.“ From a 17-year-old boy answering every call 🇳🇬 to becoming the most capped Super Eagle with 111 appearances.

    “ AFCON champion. Nigeria’s highest World Cup goal scorer. Captain. Servant. Believer.

    “I gave everything.

     Thank you Nigeria… my heart will always beat green, ” he added.

    Read Also: JUST IN: Ahmed Musa retires from international football

    Musa made his  international debut  at 17 for the Super Eagles in a qualification match for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations against Madagascar on 5th  September 2010  and  played his last match in the famous West Africa’s ‘ Jollof derby’ when  Nigeria beat Ghana 2-1 at the London Unity Cup on May 28th 2025.  

    Musa bows out as Nigeria’s most capped player, having overtaken Joseph Yobo’s long-standing  101  record in 2021.  

    Apart from  being a gold medal winner with the Flying Eagles at the 2011 African Youth Championship (U-20 AFCON),  he was  also  a 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner in 2013 as well as being a bronze medallist  at the 2019 edition in Egypt as well as being  silver medallist at the 2023 tournament in Cote d’Ivoire

    Expectedly, tributes  have started  pouring in  for the affable ‘Governor’ from  his former Super Eagles teammates with  his erstwhile deputy, William Troost-Ekong , who also  bade the  national  team bye,  offering a crisp  single-word tribute: “Legend.”

      A sentiment equally echoed by  Wilfred Ndidi,  Besiktas midfielder,  who  wrote  matter-of –factly:  “Skippo. Governor. Legend.”

    While  the  2019 AFCON top scorer Odion Ighalo also paid his respects, simply posting: “Skippo.”

    The leadership of the National Sports Commission(NSC), was also effusive with praises by “ acknowledging  Ahmed Musa’s immense contribution to Nigerian football and wishes him continued success in the next chapter of his journey. Nigeria stands with you, always.”

  • JUST IN: Ahmed Musa retires from international football

    JUST IN: Ahmed Musa retires from international football

    Ahmed Musa, Nigeria’s most capped international footballer, has officially announced his retirement from the Super Eagles, bringing an end to an illustrious career that spanned almost 15 years.

    The Super Eagles captain announced in an emotional post shared on X (formerly Twitter), thanking Nigerians for their unwavering support throughout his journey.

    “I wore this badge with pride for 15 years. From a 17-year-old boy answering every call to becoming the most capped Super Eagle with 111 appearances. AFCON champion. Nigeria’s highest World Cup goalscorer. Captain. Servant. Believer.”

    “I gave everything. Thank you, Nigeria… my heart will always beat green.”

    Musa reflected on his humble beginnings, recalling how his national team journey began when he was simultaneously invited to the U-20, U-23, and senior Super Eagles teams.

    Ahmed Musa, Nigeria’s most capped international footballer, has officially announced his retirement from the Super Eagles, bringing an end to an illustrious career that spanned almost 15 years.

    The Super Eagles captain announced in an emotional post shared on X (formerly Twitter), thanking Nigerians for their unwavering support throughout his journey.

    “I wore this badge with pride for 15 years. From a 17-year-old boy answering every call to becoming the most capped Super Eagle with 111 appearances. AFCON champion. Nigeria’s highest World Cup goalscorer. Captain. Servant. Believer.”

    “I gave everything. Thank you, Nigeria… my heart will always beat green.”

    Musa reflected on his humble beginnings, recalling how his national team journey began when he was simultaneously invited to the U-20, U-23, and senior Super Eagles teams.

  • Kano Pillars sign MoU with Radio France, get N100m, kits sponsorship

    Kano Pillars sign MoU with Radio France, get N100m, kits sponsorship

    Super Eagles ex-Captain and manager of Kano Pillars, Ahmed Musa, has secured a partnership with Radio France International (RFI), Hausa Service.

    The official signing of the MoU was held at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano.

    RFI’s Chief Coordinator, Joe Penney, after signing the documents, said Kano Pillars will benefit from sponsorship of N100 million, including kits, training, and media equipment for Kano Pillars FC’s communications.

    He said the partnership was inspired by Ahmed Musa’s vision, leadership, and managerial qualities.

    Read Also: Nigeria exceeds OPEC quota by four percent in June

    “We will continue to train the team (Kano Pillars) and ensure legal presence on our social media platforms. With Ahmed Musa’s visionary leadership qualities, together, we shall take Kano Pillars to the next level,” Penney said.

    Ahmed Musa said the sponsorship is a big start that signals a good ending.

    “This is just the beginning of the season. And it is a big start. It means we shall have a good ending,” Musa said.

    Highlights of the event included the unveiling of Kano Pillars’ new jersey, which carries RFI logo, and other packages.

  • Ahmed Musa secures N100m RFI sponsorship deal for Kano pillars

    Ahmed Musa secures N100m RFI sponsorship deal for Kano pillars

    Former Super Eagles captain and newly appointed manager of Kano Pillars, Ahmed Musa, has secured a N100 million sponsorship deal with Radio France International (RFI), Hausa Service.

    The landmark partnership was formalised during a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony held at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano.

    RFI’s Chief Coordinator, Joe Penney, revealed that the sponsorship package includes team kits, training support, and advanced media equipment to boost Kano Pillars FC’s communication and branding. 

    READ ALSO: Yahaya Bello weds fourth wife in private ceremony

    He praised Musa’s leadership, calling it the driving force behind the partnership.

    “With Ahmed Musa’s visionary leadership qualities, together, we shall take Kano Pillars to the next level,” Penney stated, adding that RFI will also provide ongoing training and digital media support for the club.

    Speaking at the event, Ahmed Musa described the deal as a strong beginning for the club’s new chapter. 

    “This is just the beginning of the season. And it is a big start. It means we shall have a good ending,” he said.

    The event also featured the unveiling of Kano Pillars’ new jersey, now emblazoned with the RFI logo, among other sponsorship highlights.

  • Super Eagles need miracle to qualify for World Cup, says Musa

    Super Eagles need miracle to qualify for World Cup, says Musa

    The substantive captain of the senior national team of Nigeria Ahmed Musa says it will take a miracle for the team to qualify for the 2026 world cup, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

    Nigeria are presently 4th in their world cup qualifiers group, six points away from the group leaders South Africa, who they will be up against in September when the games in the qualifiers resumes.

    Read Also: NFF urged to secure 18-year-old Nigeria-Argentina born River Plate star Jonathan Asuzu

    However there is an opening for them to move three points closer to the lead with FIFA set to dock them three points for fielding an ineligible player in their 2-0 win over Lesotho during the last round of games.

    Teboho Mokoena played over 80 minutes of the game, when he was supposed to have been suspended after picking up two yellow cards in previous games. Despite that Musa believe that it will be difficult for Nigeria to make it to the tournament.

    “Only miracle would take Nigeria to the World Cup, because right now we are in a deep shits. Well we are hopeful that we will make it to the World Cup but right now honestly we are in a deep sheets only miracle would take Nigeria to the Tournament’, he said while addressing the press for the first time in his capacity as the General Manager of Nigeria Premier Football League side Kano Pillars.

  • Ahmed Musa marries fourth wife in private Kano ceremony

    Ahmed Musa marries fourth wife in private Kano ceremony

    Super Eagles winger Ahmed Musa has tied the knot with his fourth wife, Asmau Moriki, in a private ceremony in Kano.

    This latest union marks a new chapter in the footballer’s personal life, following years of media attention surrounding his past relationships.

    Musa first got married to Jamila in 2013, and the couple had two children before divorcing in 2017, reportedly due to disagreements over his intention to take a second wife.

    He then married Juliet Ejue, from Ogoja in Cross River State. That marriage also came to an end, although the details and timeline of the split were not publicly disclosed.

    Read Also: Ahmed Musa mourns hunters killed in Edo

    In 2021, Musa married Mariam, making her his third wife.

    In 2025, he has added Asmau Moriki to his family. 

    The wedding was described as a quiet event attended by close family members and friends.

  • Musa: Missing World Cup  will be a disaster 

    Musa: Missing World Cup  will be a disaster 

    Nigeria’s most capped international Ahmed Musa said it would be a big disaster  should the Super Eagles miss qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup but  remains upbeat ahead of  the March 21 showdown against Rwanda in Kigali.

    The Super Eagles  are living  dangerously  in their  bid  for a ticket to the  2026 FIFA World Cup  after  they slipped to fifth position  with three points from their opening  four matches.

     Incidentally, the Amavubi are  leading the Group C section with seven points –the same as South Africa  and Benin- while  the Brave Warriors of  Zimbabwe who meets  the Super Eagles in Uyo  on Matchday 6  are in fourth position with four points. Lesotho  occupies the sixth position on the table.

    Read Also: NPFL: Rivers United close gap on leaders Remo Stars

    “The important game is Rwanda,” Ahmed Musa said after he led Kano Pillars to an NPFL clash at Kwara United . “If we can get the three points from that match it’s going to be a turning point for us. But it is not just a job for the Super Eagles alone.

     “Every Nigerian must be involved because we need their support.”

    Ahmed Musa admitted it will be a disaster should Nigeria fail to qualify for the biggest ever Mundial.

    “The Super Eagles are in a very difficult situation right but we believe in ourselves that we can still scale through,” he maintained. “Super Eagles cannot be absent from the 2026 World Cup.

     “It is going to be a big disaster for Nigerian players not to be at the World Cup.”

  • Chelle in Kano to take final decision on Ahmed Musa

    Chelle in Kano to take final decision on Ahmed Musa

    Coach Eric Chelle will be in Kano tomorrow to take a final look at Ahmed Musa in action for Kano Pillars against Enugu Rangers in a high-profile NPFL clash.

    SCORENigeria has exclusively learnt that the Super Eagles coach will decide on whether or not to invite the Super Eagles captain after watching him in action for Pillars tomorrow.

    Read Also: NFF to name Super  Eagles’ coaching crew at Chelle’s unveiling today 

    Ahmed Musa was Man of the Match when Pillars beat Akwa United in the NPFL in midweek.

    He was also outstanding when Pillars beat Rangers in the reverse tie in Enugu last year.

    He has returned from injury which sidelined him for four league games.  

  • Kano Pillars fined  over Ahmed Musa’s ranting

    Kano Pillars fined  over Ahmed Musa’s ranting

     Gabriel  gets nine-game suspension

    Kano Pillars have been charged for breaching the NPFL Framework & Rules in the course of their Matchday 9 fixture at Nasarawa United on Sunday and have been fined two million naira with a strong reprimand for them to behave better in the future.

    The club’s player Ugochukwu Gabriel has also been suspended for nine games and can only return at the start of the second stanza after he was noted to have behaved unruly in the wake of the disputed goal.

    Sai Masu Gida were beaten 1-0 by Nasarawa United in Lafia with tempers raised in the aftermath of the controversial 40th minute goal scored by Anas Yusuf for the home side.

    The Kano club were charged for a statement from their Media & Communications Directorate quoting their player, Ahmed Musa, in which he disparaged match officials. This act is deemed as capable of bringing the game  into disrepute.

    Kano Pillars also failed to ensure the proper conduct of their team resulting to the unruly behaviour of Ugochukwu Gabriel during the match.

    Ugochukwu Gabriel (Kano Pillars player with jersey number 26) is suspended for the next 9 #NPFL25 matches starting from Matchday 10 for his unruly conduct.

    Read Also: NFF launches monthly Football Awards today

    Kano Pillars have been fined N1 million for misconduct capable for bringing the game too disrepute & another N1 million for improper conduct of their players & officials.

    Kano Pillars have further been issued a warning on publishing inflammatory statements in future & advised to use appropriate channels to register their complaints as a recurrence will lead to weightier sanctions.

    The Kano club also reserve the rights to appeal the sanctions within 48 hours from the date of notice.

  • Ahmed Musa challenges NPFL  referees over poor officiating

    Ahmed Musa challenges NPFL  referees over poor officiating

    Super Eagles and Kano Pillars captain, Ahmed Musa has urged  the Nigeria Premier Football League match officials to be more forthright, humane and firm in their decision making after Sai Masu Gida were at the wrong end of it in their 1-0 away loss to Nasarawa United.

    Musa in a chat after the game played in Lafia expressed his disappointment, emphasizing that poor officiating demoralizes players and impacts the league’s credibility negatively.

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    He said: “I’ve been praising the officiating and the progress in the league up until now, but the performance of the officials in this Matchday 9 game makes me wonder if coming back to play in the NPFL was the right choice.

    “For the league to improve, we need to address the quality of officiating. Officials must not be allowed to diminish the players’ morale and effort.

    “If I keep witnessing such officiating, I cannot encourage anyone to return to the NPFL. It would be a waste of our efforts if this continues.”