The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ahmed Musa

  • Grateful Ahmed Musa hails dependable Rohr

    Grateful Ahmed Musa hails dependable Rohr

     

    Super Eagles ace and CSKA forward Ahmed Musa has heaped praise on Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr, after the coach who has been touring round to check on Nigerian players popped in to say hello Russia

    A highly elated Musa who recently put aside the nightmares of Leicester to return to his Russian club where he is already having a good playing time, described Rohr as a good teacher who inspires adding that tactician has indeed inspired him.

    “I stumbled and failed and you taught me to never give up and keep on trying. I just want to say thank you,” he dished out Via his Instalgram.

    Musa, who could be said to have taken Rohr’s advice to seek playing time outside Leicester City seriously, received an impressive reception at CSKA who described him as one of their own.  Not only did the technical crew come out to welcome him even his teammates expressed delight at his return predicting that his arrival will further push the club to greater heights.

    Although Rohr is yet to release his final squad for the World cup in Russia, there are strong indications that Musa would ultimately make the team especially with his triumphant return to regular play in Russia.

    Rohr in a recent media chart expressed delight that Musa has started playing regularly again.  He was also happy that

    Kelechi Iheanacho who has not been regular with Leicester made the huge different in the club’s recent FA cup impressive run. He has left no one in doubt that he wants all the Nigerian players playing abroad to be on top of their game ahead of the World Cup where Nigeria will tackle Croatia, Iceland and Argentina in the Group Stage. The Eagles have already secured a camping site in the South of Russia with friendly matches lined up against Poland, England and Serbia.

  • Europa: Musa’s CSKA gets Lyon challenge

    Europa: Musa’s CSKA gets Lyon challenge

     

    Super Eagles forward Ahmed Musa, who put a good show in CSKA Moscow’s Europa tie against Crvena Zvezda on Wednesday, will be hoping to continue his impressive run in the next stage of the championship following the draw released on Friday.

    The last 16 draw dished out on Friday pitched the Russian side against French side Lyon. The two legged encounter begins with CSKA hosting Lyon on March 8 with the return leg billed for March 15.

    Arsenal will face AC Milan in the standout clash, with Atletico Madrid and Borussia Dortmund avoiding  heavyweight meetings.

    Arsene Wenger’s side scraped past Ostersunds 4-2 on aggregate, but their reward is a tough test against in-form Milan, who saw off Ludogorets in the round of 32.

    The two sides last met at this stage of the 2011-12 Champions League, when Zlatan Ibrahimovic inspired a 4-3 aggregate triumph for the Serie A outfit, with Arsenal unable to come back from a first-leg humbling at San Siro.

    Milan will again play at home first, on March 8, with the return fixture at Emirates Stadium scheduled for March 15.

    Atletico were handed a seemingly more straightforward draw against Lokomotiv Moscow, while German giants Dortmund will take on Austria’s Red Bull Salzburg.

    Elsewhere, RB Leipzig and Zenit, who knocked out Napoli and Celtic respectively, face one another, with the first leg to be played in Germany.

    Lazio were drawn against Dynamo Kiev, with Marseille to take on Athletic Bilbao, and Sporting CP facing Viktoria Plzen.

    Lyon will have to get past CSKA Moscow if they are to reach the final at their home stadium in May.

    Europa League round-of-16 draw in full:

    Lazio v Dynamo Kiev

    RB Leipzig v Zenit

    Atletico Madrid v Lokomotiv Moscow

    CSKA Moscow v Lyon

    Marseille v Athletic Bilbao

    Sporting CP v Viktoria Plzen

    Borussia Dortmund v Salzburg

    AC Milan v Arsenal

     

     

     

     

  • Musa savors 90 minutes action in CSKA victory

    Musa savors 90 minutes action in CSKA victory

     

    Super Eagles and CSkA of Moscow returnee Ahmed Musa enjoyed full 90 minutes play Wednesday, as the Russian side earned a lone goal victory over visiting Crvena Zvezda in a UEFA Europa league tie.

    Although the Nigerian international whose return to his former club has been hailed by many did not score in Wednesday encounter he nonetheless posted an impressive run to the delight of Viktor Goncharenko led coaching crew.

    CSKA dominated proceedings maintaining a 55% t0 45% possession ration all through the match.

    The centre referee however had his hands full during the encounter as no fewer than five players were shown the yellow card.

    Musa who returned to Moscow on 30 January 2018, on loan for the remainder of the 2017–18 season scored two goals in friendly matches prior to Wednesday’s Europa clash.

    There are strong indications that the club may seek a permanent return for Musa who they have described as ‘one of their own’ at the expiration of the loan deal.

    Some who are tickled by Musa’s return to the Russian club say it will provide a better platform for him to be considered for the World Cup in Russia as he is likely to earn better playing time compared to the era of bench warming exercise at Leicester City.

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Musa named in 50 worst players in EPL history

    Musa named in 50 worst players in EPL history

     

    Do you believe it? Could the analysis be right? Is it not debatable? Could it be a case of analyst being entitled to their opinions?

    Well, the story is that Super Eagles forward Ahmed Musa has been named among 50 Worst players of in premier league history.

    The report dished out on Wednesday on Fourfourtwo.com simply titled “Fourfourtwo: 50 worst players in premier league

    History” listed the Nigerian international and Leicester city ace who recently returned to Russian club CSKA Moscow after a lull in playing time at the King Power Stadium as number 44 on the log.

    With a commentary on each player, the commentary on Musa begins with “Ouch. In the glow of their Premier League-winning season, Leicester broke their transfer record to bring Musa to England for £16.6m from CSKA Moscow. How they landed on the

    Nigerian forward is harder to explain, though, given that he has always been an unremarkable and patchy player who, most importantly, didn’t have a natural place in their side.

    Maybe he was part of a long-term plan that Claudio Ranieri was never given time to implement? Possibly, but at no point

    during his rotten 18 months at the King Power (33 games, five goals) did his transfer ever look likely to be remotely successful. Quietly, he was loaned back to CSKA in the January 2018 transfer window”

    Those listed in the first batch alongside Musa include Aston Villa’s jean Makoun on 42, Southampton’s Agustin Delgado on 43, Arsenal’s Sebastien Squillaci on 45, Aston Villa’s Aleksandar Tonev on 46, Nottingham Forests’Mikola Jerkan on 47, Leeds

    Roque Junior on 48, Liverpool’s Salif Diao on 49 and Manchester United’s Radamel Falcao

    The report further indicates however that other players on numbers 40 to 1 will be released next week.

    Musa who was superlative in his first stay with CSKA Moscow between 2012 -2016 making 125 appearances and scoring 42 goals for the side had what could pass for a nightmare following his transfer to Leicester as he struggled to have playing time.

    A worried Super Eagles coach at a time told the duo of Musa and equally embattled Kelechi Iheanacho to seek other clubs where they can get playing time ahead of the World Cup. Musa’s return to CSKA Moscow was held in sports circles as it was envisaged that his chances of playing regularly is high. He has not only blended back with ease but has already scored two goals in friendly matches for the side and indication that he might return to super form when the Russian league resumes off in March.

    CSKA currently 5th on the log with 35 points in 20 matches will open up the second stanza of the league on March 3rd when they host 9th placed Ural.

  • Musa gets No 7 jersey ahead Belgrade clash

    Musa gets No 7 jersey ahead Belgrade clash

     

    Super Eagles ace Ahmed Musa says CSKA Moscow is a club with unique fighting spirit, describing the VEB Arena as a home.

    Musa who has been handed No. 7 jersey was warmly welcomed by club management who wished him fruitful return.

    The pacy forward who transferred to English premiership side Leicester in August 2016 for £16million, further said he is happy to be back to the Red and Blue Family.

    “I am happy and proud to be back.  This is truly my home, Champion team that fights for top awards and occupy highest places.  I am back to the Red and Blue Family,” he enthused

    Musa has only mustered one Leicester appearance this term however, when he found the net in a Carabao Cup clash at Sheffield United

    Prior to his transfer to Leicester City, Musa spent five seasons with the Russian side scoring 50 goals in all competitions

    CSKA are fifth in the Russian Premier League, with the division currently on a winter break until March.

    Musa will be eligible to feature in next month’s Europa League round of 32 tie with Red Star Belgrade.

    It will be recalled that the former Kano Pillars forward wore No. 18 jersey during his first stay with CSKA Moscow.

    His return to the club has been hailed in some quarters coming at a time when Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr is expecting Nigerian players to be at their peak and play regularly ahead of the World Cup.

    The German tactician only recently advised Musa and Kelechi Iheanacho to seek new clubs where they can play regularly after playing time turned into gold at the King Power Stadium.

    Iheanacho only few days back scored a brace in Leicester City’s 5-1 defeat of Peterborough in the FA cup clash bring his FA cup goals to nine in nine matches, prompting some analysts to suggest that there could be a turn of fortune for him at the King Power Stadium

     

     

     

  • Rohr calls up 18-year-old Uzoho, Mikel, 22 others for Algeria, Argentina games

    Rohr calls up 18-year-old Uzoho, Mikel, 22 others for Algeria, Argentina games

    Team captain Mikel Obi, Ahmed Musa and Ogenyi Onazi headline the list of 24 players which Super Eagles’ Technical Adviser Gernot Rohr has invited for the team’s upcoming two matches.

    The Nigerian senior men football team visit Algeria next week in a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying match, and also take on Argentina in Russia four days later in a friendly.

    Goalkeepers Ikechukwu Ezenwa and Daniel Akpeyi made the cut, alongside defenders Abdullahi Shehu, Leon Balogun and William Ekong, as well as midfielders Wilfred Ndidi and Oghenekaro Etebo.

     

    Forwards Kelechi Iheanacho, Alex Iwobi and Odion Ighalo were also on the list, which also has three players placed on standby.

    However, there is a first call-up for impressive goalkeeper Francis Uzoho of Deportivo La Coruna of Spain and midfielder Chidiebere Nwakali, a former FIFA U-17 World Cup winner.

    Francis Uzoho
    Francis Uzoho

    Russia-based Brian Idowu has also been placed on standby, only for the friendly with Argentina.

    2013 AFCON winner Kenneth Omeruo is on standby for both matches, alongside former junior international Alhassan Ibrahim, who now plays in Austria.

    All invited players are expected to arrive in a camp in Morocco on Monday, Nov. 6, before the delegation flies to Constantine on Thursday, Nov. 9.

    Two days later, the Super Eagles will leave Constantine for Krasnodar, the Russian city which will host the international friendly against Argentina on Nov. 14.

    THE FULL LIST

    Goalkeepers: Daniel Akpeyi (Chippa United, South Africa); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (FC IfeanyiUbah); Francis Uzoho (Deportivo La Coruna, Spain)

    Defenders: William Ekong (Bursaspor FC, Turkey); Abdullahi Shehu (Anorthosis Famagusta, Cyprus); Tyronne Ebuehi (ADO Den Haag, The Netherlands);

    Leon Balogun (FSV Mainz 05, Germany); Uche Agbo (Standard Liege, Belgium); Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC, France); Olaoluwa Aina (Hull City, England)

    Midfielders: Mikel Obi (Tianjin Teda, China); Ogenyi Onazi (Trabzonspor FC, Turkey); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Oghenekaro Etebo (CD Feirense, Portugal);

    John Ogu (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel); Mikel Agu (Bursaspor FC, Turkey); Chidiebere Nwakali (Sogndal FC, Norway)

    Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Leicester City, England); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Moses Simon (KAA Gent, Belgium); Alex Iwobi (Arsenal FC, England);

    Odion Ighalo (Chang Chun-Yatai, China); Henry Onyekuru (RSC Anderlecht, Belgium); Anthony Nwakaeme (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel)

    STANDBY: Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa FC, Turkey); Alhassan Ibrahim (FK Austria Wien, Austria); Brian Idowu (FC Amkar Perm, Russia)(NAN)

  • Katsina invests N200m in rice, cotton production

    Katsina invests N200m in rice, cotton production

    The Katsina State Government says it has invested N200 million in rice and cotton production under the Anchor Borrowers Programme in the state.

    Dr Abba Abdullahi, the Special Adviser to Gov. Aminu Masari on Agriculture, disclosed this in Katsina on Tuesday, at the opening of a town hall meeting on the programme.

    The town hall meeting was organised by the state government in conjunction with the Central Bank of Nigeria ( CBN ), the co-sponsor of anchor borrowers programme.

    “We have rice and cotton farmers that collected the CBN loan under the anchor borrowers programme to boost rice and cotton production and the programme needed supervision.

    “We used the funds to supervise and inspect all the rice and cotton farms in the 34 local government areas of the state.

    “The Katsina state government also purchased over 35 motorcycles for extension workers to visit rice and cotton farmers with the aim of offering pieces of advice to them,” he said.

    Abdullahi said that part of the fund was used for the repair of 15 vehicles for officers involved in supervising the extension workers.

    Earlier, Alhaji Shehu Musawa, the Managing Director, State Agricultural and Rural Development Project (KATARDA), said the stakeholders’ meeting was to review how the programme fared during the rainy season.

    “Anchor borrowers programme has achieved the desired goal in the state as it has boosted rice and cotton production.

    “We are expecting bumper harvest of cotton and rice in the state,” Abdullahi said.

    In his contribution, Keystone Bank’s representative, Malam Ahmed Musa, said that the bank would continue to support agricultural programmes in the state.

    NAN

  • My ex-wife’s husband enticed her into leaving my house

    My ex-wife’s husband enticed her into leaving my house

    A 36-year-old man, Ahmed Musa, has accused one Abdulkareem Hasimu, the new husband of his former wife, Fatima, of enticing her to leave his house.

    Musa, a resident of Turaki Street, Jos told a Jos Upper Area Court sitting in Kasuma Nama, that Fatima was still legally married to him when she contracted her marriage to Hasimu.

    Musa, who filed a direct complaint to the court on June 7, also accused Fatima of adultery and polyandry.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the duo are standing trial for enticement, adultery, criminal intimidation, causing grievous hurt and theft.

    The offences, according to Mr S. A. Abba, counsel to the complainant, contravene sections 389, 387, 396, 240 and 287 of the penal code.

    “Musa married Fatima in 2014, but she left him in 2016 `without any quarrel’, and married Hasimu.

    “When he (Musa) went to Hasimu’s house to challenge him to leave his wife, Hasimu beat him up and stole his mobile phone worth N100,000,” he told the court.

    The accused persons, who pleaded not guilty, drew the court’s attention to its own records indicating that the marriage between Musa and Fatima was dissolved in Dec. 15, 2015.

    Musa, however, rejected the said record and insisted that he was still legally married to Fatima when she married Hasimu in 2016.

    The duo prayed the court for bail, citing section 36 (1) of the 1999 constitution which stated that an accused person was presumed innocent until otherwise proven.

    The judge, Mr Yahaya Mohammed, after listening to the plea, admitted the accused persons to bail in the sum of N200,000 with one surety each, who must be either their marriage guardian or Imam.

    Mohammed, thereafter, adjourned the matter to July 20, for hearing.

  • Musa: I’m not aware of Fernebache’s interest

    Musa: I’m not aware of Fernebache’s interest

    Leicester City striker Ahmed Musa is unaware of rumours suggesting that he has agreed in principle to join Fenerbahçe in the summer transfer window.

    The Foxes star is presently in Uyo with the Nigerian national team, who are preparing to take on South Africa in an African Cup of Nations qualifier today, and was quick to dismiss the reports when questioned by reporters.

    ”I don’t know anything about the interest from Fenerbahce,” the Leicester City number seven said.

    The ex-CSKA Moscow sensation has three years left on his contract with Leicester City.

  • Ahmed Musa, Ndidi visit vandalised school

    Ahmed Musa, Ndidi visit vandalised school

    uper Eagles and Leicester City duo of Ahmed Musa and Wilfred Ndidi took time out on Thursday to pay a visit to Braunstone Community Primary School in UK and lift spirits among their young pupils after the school was vandalised earlier this year.

    The premises were discovered to have been broken into with windows smashed and possessions stolen from classrooms on Monday January 2 2017. With a playing area reserved for nursery children also being damaged, teaching staff worked around the clock to clean up the debris left by those responsible.

    The repair bills are estimated to have cost in excess of £10,000 and children also missed out on valuable teaching time as the clean-up operation was completed. PC Tom White, however, stepped in to arrange for two of City’s stars to visit on Thursday to sign autographs and pose for photographs.

    The Foxes pair were guests of honour at assembly before a tour of each classroom – to make sure they met every single pupil.

    Speaking to LCFC TV, Ndidi admitted it was pleasing to see smiles back on the pupils’ faces: “When I heard the news, I said ‘wow’. I was sad but I am happy now that the kids are happy. They are cheering, they have smiles on their faces and it gives me joy. It is important because most of them look up to the guys so I am happy.”

    Musa, meanwhile, shared Ndidi’s delight that the facilities had been restored and emphasised the importance of the Club maintaining its bond with its youngest supporters.

    “It is difficult to believe,” the 24-year-old said. “It is very sad to hear that. I don’t think that such a thing has to happen. Finally, they are back in school and very happy to be back. It is very nice to see the children are happy. It is important for us to see them and show we care.”