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Tag: Ahmed Musa

  • Ahmed Musa marks birthday, prays for better days

    Ahmed Musa marks birthday, prays for better days

    Ahmed Musa, the ex-captain of the Super Eagles, marked his birthday by expressing gratitude to God for the new year.

    He shared photos of himself on Instagram, reflecting on his journey and embracing the lessons learned and the love that surrounds him.

    With optimism, he welcomed the new chapter of his life, looking forward to blessings and endless possibilities.

    Read Also: Ahmed Musa mulls NPFL return again

    “Alhamdulillah. It’s my birthday! Feeling so blessed to see another year! Grateful for the journey, the lessons, and all the love around me. Here’s to more life, more laughter, and more memories! Cheers to a new chapter filled with blessings and endless possibilities”, he wrote.

    Fans and fellow athletes flooded the comments section with birthday wishes and also honouring his achievements.

  • Musa targets  more goals for Kano Pillars

    Musa targets  more goals for Kano Pillars

    Super Eagles winger Ahmed Musa has promised fans and supporters of Kano Pillars to expect more goals from him following his goal scoring debut for Sai Masu Gida on his third stint with the club.

    The Super Eagles skipper scored twice to earn the Sai Masu Gida maximum points against Sunshine Stars at the Muhammad Dikko stadium in Katsina and could have even made it a hat trick had he converted the penalty kick he had late on.

    “Back in familiar colours and it feels good, I’m grateful to the entire backroom staff, my teammates and management of Kano Pillars for believing in me and giving this opportunity for me to return,” Musa told the club media.

    Read Also: Fans beg NFF not to retain Eguavoen for Super Eagles

    He added: “To the amazing supporters and everyone who came out to watch, thank you for the love and energy. Scoring two goals and earning that penalty was just the start, we’ve got a lot more coming.”

    Musa’s double ensured Kano Pillars grab their second win of the season and most importantly it ended their three game winless streak.

  • Ahmed Musa mulls NPFL return again

    Ahmed Musa mulls NPFL return again

    Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa is on the verge of making a sensational return to the NPFL but he wants Nigerians to decide his next club in the Nigerian topflight. 

    The 31-year-old forward, without a club since leaving Turkish side Sivasspor in February 2024, took to social media to involve the fans before deciding  his next line of action.

    “Let’s go again,” he stated on his X (formerly Twitter) account with a picture of all the logos of the 20 clubs in the league. “Which of these teams do you wish for me to sign for?” 

    Musa, Nigeria’s top scorer at the FIFA World Cup with four goals, was part of the Super Eagles squad that reached the final of AFCON 2023 in Côte d’Ivoire, although he made no appearance during the tournament.

    Despite his age, Musa has stated that he was not ready to retire and believes he still has more to offer to the game.

    This wouldn’t be Musa’s first return to the NPFL. In 2021, he made headlines by rejoining his boyhood club, Kano Pillars, on a short-term deal.

    This move was seen as a heartwarming homecoming, reminiscent of his early career when he burst onto the scene as a teenage sensation.

    During the 2009/2010 season, Musa who wants to end his career in the league scored an impressive 18 league goals for Kano Pillars, setting what was then a record in the NPFL and earning him the Top Scorer award.

    This feat helped launch his international career, which saw him named to the 2014 CAF Team of the Year.

    Read Also: Madrid look to replicate last season’s champions league campaign

    While fans eagerly await the announcement of Musa’s next move, his return to the NPFL could provide a significant boost to the league’s profile.

    It remains to be seen which club will secure the services of the experienced international, but one thing is certain: Ahmed Musa’s next chapter in Nigerian football will be decided with input from the very fans who have supported him throughout his career.

    All signs indicate the World Cup-scoring forward might be returning to Kano Pillars, who he started out with before his transfer to Europe.

    Musa scored two goals and made two assists in 53 appearances for Turkish side Sivasspor before his contract was terminated.

  • Kano named Ahmed Musa state’s Sports Ambassador

    Kano named Ahmed Musa state’s Sports Ambassador

    • Pillars get new management team

    Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, has appointed Super Eagles Captain Ahmed Musa as the state’s Sports Ambassador.

    Musa who moved to Kano Pillars from defunct Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) FC in the 2008-09 season and emerged the NPFL highest goals scorer the following season before he got the move to VVV Venlo FC of Holland which began his European clubs adventure.

    The former CSKA Moscow winger came back on loan to the club some seasons back and he has always identified himself with the club.

    In a related development, K Governor, Yusuf, has also approved the appointment of a new management board for Kano Pillars Football Club, following the expiration and dissolution of the previous board.

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    In a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, the new board members were announced will be led by Ali Muhammad Umar (Nayara Mai Samba) .

    The new board will serve for an interim period of one year, with the potential for renewal based on the team’s performance in the upcoming seasons. The governor expressed confidence that the new board will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to manage and oversee the affairs of Kano Pillars FC.

    Kano Pillars new board

    Ali Muhammad Umar (Nayara Mai Samba) – Chairman

    • Salisu Kosawa – Honorary Member
    • Yusuf Danladi (Andy Cole) – Member
    • Nasiru Bello – Member
    • Muhammad Ibrahim (Hassan West) – Member
    • Muhammad Usman – Member
    • Muhammad Danjuma Gwarzo – Member
    • Mustapha Usman Darma – Member
    • Umar Dankura – Member
    • Ahmad Musbahu – Member
    • Rabiu Abdullahi – Member
    • Abubakar Isah Dandago Yamalash – Media Director
    • Ismail Abba Tangalash – Deputy Media Director
    • Engr. Usman Kofar Naisa – Member
  • Turkish club terminates  Ahmed Musa’s contract 

    Turkish club terminates  Ahmed Musa’s contract 

    Turkish Super Lig club Sivasspor have announced they have mutually terminated the contract of Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa.

    The 31-year-old Ahmed Musa did not re-join the team after the delayed 2023 AFCON after not making the first team for a long time.

    Read Also: Let’s uplift each other, stand united – Ahmed Musa begs Iwobi’s critics

    His contract was due to end in June.

    He joined Sivasspor in the 2022/2023 season from another Turkish club Fatih Karagumruk, where he had also struggled for game time.

    He scored a goal in two seasons during which time he made the starting XI eight times.

  • AFCON 2023: Musa decries cyber-bullying of Iwobi

    AFCON 2023: Musa decries cyber-bullying of Iwobi

    Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa has called on Nigerians to show genuine love and support the country’s senior national team players who have given their all representing their fatherland.

    Musa said as much against the backdrop of insults hauled at Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi on social media by fans for allegedly not given enough to the team’s silver medal finish at the 2023 AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire.

    The Super Eagles were beaten 2-1 by hosts Cote D’Ivoire in the final of the 2023 AFCON Final Match at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium on Sunday night and Iwobi has since being subjected to social media attacks with fans blaming him for his not too impressive showing in the competition.

    Musa, the Super Eagles’ non-playing skipper at the competition, appealed to Nigerians engaging in the act to calm down and learn to appreciate the country’s heroes despite losing the decisive final to Cote ‘d’Ivoire.

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    “Dear fans, I want to please urge you to halt the cyber-bullying directed towards Alex Iwobi. Cyber bullying is not just a violation of decency but also a serious crime. It’s hypocritical to claim that football unites us while engaging in such behaviour,” Musa wrote on his official X (formerly Twitter) account.

    “Losing a game is undoubtedly tough, but targeting a single player for the team’s shortcomings is unfair and unjust. We win as a team, and we lose as a team. Alex gave his all on the field, just like every member of our squad.

    “Instead of spreading negativity, let’s show genuine love and support to our players. They need our encouragement now more than ever. Let’s uplift each other and stand united, both in victory and defeat.”

    Our Correspondent gathered that Iwobi is miffed with the cyber bullying and the Fulham FC midfielder is reportedly reviewing his future with the Super Eagles having deleted all his pictures with the team on his Instagram page.

  • Much ado about Ahmed Musa’s inclusion in AFCON 2024

    Much ado about Ahmed Musa’s inclusion in AFCON 2024

    By Yusuf Saidu Tara

    SIR: The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) recently submitted 41 names as provisional squad to partake in African biggest competition – the African Cup of Nations taking place in Ivory Coast, January 2024. However the inclusion of the Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa has sparked reactions and generated heated debates as football lovers, analysts and spectators took social media platforms express their views on the football federation’s stand.

    The reactions are not surprisingly mixed. While some football commentators see the presence of the Jos-based striker as adding no value to the Super Eagles team’s quest citing age, physicality and playing time as reasons, others applaud the decision.

    Whoever understands the trend, history and other issues surrounding Nigerian football would no doubt have lauded the choice of the longest serving player in the history of Super Eagles. Musa as the most capped Nigerian footballer has good knowledge of most of the teams we shall face at AFCON 2024. His stay in Super Eagles will help the Nigerian team with all the needed information on tactics and plans to emerge victorious.

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    Having captained the team in the past, Musa’s leadership qualities are without question. He may not necessarily start in any game but surely will be helpful during training and pep talk in the dressing room.

    Nigerians might wish to recall that in the last two AFCON outings that Nigeria won, our captains were not even starters in the game: Stephen Keshi in Tunisia 1994 and Joseph Yobo in South Africa 2013. But they understood the expectations of Nigerians and were best placed to advice the players. Musa is a very big name in the game. He has won lots of titles including AFCON Cup. His presence alone can make big difference; he is full of creativity, speed and as a selfless player, he could be counted upon to help the team to perform.

    Nigerians as a whole and football lovers in particular should learn to support and respect our big stars who have put in their efforts and sacrifices for the betterment of the national team. We must stop all the sentiments, propaganda and distractions and give room for those experienced players who are willing to support the Super Eagles to contribute. We have in the past lost important players to uninformed sentiments. Good luck to the Super Eagles!

    • Yusuf Saidu Tara, Yola, Adamawa State.

  • Sudan: Go for win, Ahmed Musa charges Olympic Eagles

    SUPER Eagles’ captain, Ahmed Musa has charged the U-23 National Team, Olympic Eagles, to go all out and make the nation proud as the team intensified preparations for the final round of this year’s U-23 AFCON qualifiers against Sudan.

    Musa made the call when he showed up at the team’s training session at the FIFA Goal Project in Abuja on Sunday night.

    The Eagles’ skipper added that with hard work and dedication, the team can beat Sudan in Omdurman to stand a bright chance to qualify for the forthcoming U-23 AFCON in Egypt.

    “I am here to encourage and pledge my support to you due to the importance of the game ahead of you.

    I have played for the U-23 before making my debut for the Super Eagles in 2010, and with dedication, hard work and grace of God, today I’m the Super Eagles’ captain.

    Read Also: Musa, Iwobi, Shehu arrive in Asaba

    “Nigeria is blessed with a lot of talented footballers. I am the captain of the Super Eagles not because I am better than most of the players but due to dedication and hard-work. I urge you to go all out and beat Sudan because the game serves as Olympic qualifiers.”

    The Imama Amapakabo-led team is expected to depart the shores of the country early next week, with the first leg billed for Thursday, 5th September at the Al Merriekh Stadium in Omdurman. The return leg will hold in Asaba, Delta State on Tuesday, 10th September. Winners over two legs between Nigeria and Sudan will qualify for the 3rd Africa U-23 Cup of Nations, scheduled for Egypt 8th – 22nd November this year.

     

  • SA Fans want close marking for Iwobi, Musa and Ighalo

    South African fans and analysts alike have dubbed Eagles trio of Ahmed Musa, Odion Ighalo and Alex Iwobi as danger men, urging coach South Africa coach Stuart Baxter to ensure they are given close marking.

    The three players according to South Africans have shown in the course of the ongoing tournament in Egypt that they can do damage given the slightest opportunity.

    Musa is considered a threat because of his ability to create space on one hand and also drop deep to collect ball to flag off attack on the other.

    Odion Ighalo who has already scored three goals is tipped to aim for more goals and could be a handful for Bafana Bafana defensive duo of Thulani Hlatshwayo and Buhle Mkhwanazi whose job it will be to prevent him from wreaking havoc. Alex Iwobi they further noted has a blistering pace on a good day and that could be problematic for Bafana Bafana.

    Meanwhile former Bafana Bafana winger Daine Klate has believes the boys from the Rainbow City have all it takes to sing victory song but admitted that it will not come easy against Nigerian side that became more determined after that shocking defeat by debutants Madagascar in the group stage.

    “It’s been good to see the positive response around the Egypt win and I hope the guys can go on and do something special against Nigeria,” Klate enthused.

     

  • Musa, Iwobi, Shehu arrive in Asaba

    The trio of Ahmed Musa, Alex Iwobi and Shehu Abdullahi arrived at the Super Eagles’ training camp in Asaba on Wednesday afternoon for the preparation of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

    Their arrival swelled the list of the players in camp to 23.

    The team’s camp was officially opened on Sunday at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba but Musa, Iwobi and Abdullahi were given extra days off from camp by the team’s head Coach Gernot Rohr.

    NationSport had earlier reported that Musa and Abdullahi were permitted to skip training in the last three days to enable them to finish their Ramadan fasting and celebrate Salah festival with their families, while Iwobi came late to the camp due to his involvement in Arsenal’s UEFA Europa League final against Chelsea in Baku.

    Read Also: Super Eagles strikers give Rohr sleepless night

    He scored Arsenal consolation goal in a 1-3 defeat to Chelsea.  However, the duo of Odion Ighalo and William Troost-Ekong are yet to arrive in the camp. A source in the camp told NationSport that Ighalo and Troost-Ekong may join the team today.

    Ighalo suffered a hamstring injury in his side’s 1-1 draw at Tianjin Teda on May 10 and has not featured in a competitive game for Shanghai Shenhua since his terrible injury.

    Ighalo resumed full training last Tuesday with the possibility that he will recover very fast before the camp opened for the AFCON preparation but his absence in camp has continued to put doubt on his fitness level for the AFCON with just a few days to kick off.

    Super Eagles trained once on Wednesday under the guidance of coach Rohr and his assistants. The training session, which was opened for fans and media, started at 4.15 pm.