The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Musa

  • Kings Cup: Musa excited to start 2019 with a bang for Al-Nassr

    Super Eagles’ and Al-Nassr of Saudi forward, Ahmed Musa is happy after scoring twice for Al-Nassr as they posted six past Al-Jandal in the Round of 32 of the Saudi Arabia Kings Cup, AOIFootball.com reports.

    The Eagles’ stand-in captain ended a run of five games to double his side’s lead nine minutes after the break before completing the scoring on 90 minutes, with strike partner Abderrazak Hamdalla netting a hat-trick and  Giuliano netting the other goal.

    “Good to start the year with a goal! We keep working hard till the end of the season. Well done mates,” Musa posted afterwards.

    The Nigerian has now scored 7 goals and contributed five assists since joining Al-Nassr from Leicester City in the summer.

    The club now turns their attention to next week’s league clash against Al-Faisaly as they hope to topple Al-Hilal at the summit of the league table.

  • Musa eyes victory in Sfax

    Ahead of Tuesday’s AFCON 2019 match day four fixture against the Mediterranean Knights of Libya, Super Eagles stand-in captain, Ahmed Musa has said the team remains well committed to ensure they gain maximum points in Tunisia, AOIFootball.com reports.

    The Al-Nassr striker, who spoke to Aoifootball.com before the Eagles departed for Tunis, further urged Nigerians to continue to support the team in prayers, as they aim to return the country back to the continental stage for the first time in six years.

    “We know the importance of this match already and we want to try and take all three points so that we can boost our chances of qualifying from the group. Everybody is happy and I’m confident we can get the win on Tuesday.

    “I believe if we play to the coach’s instructions just like we did in Uyo on Saturday, we can defeat them again. We know it won’t be an easy game but we are fully ready to defend the green and white of Nigeria,” Musa concluded.

    Musa is yet to lose a game as the Eagles’ captain and will be hoping to make it three wins in three when they face third on the log, Libya in Sfax on Tuesday night.

  • Security vote helping to sustain corruption – Musa

    Former Kaduna State Governor, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, told Assistant Editor, Jide Babalola, that Security Vote is part of the corrupt practices by those in government. Excerpts

    WE had security vote in my time, minimal security vote is required by the state; for instance, in my time, we had only N100, 000 because the police and other security agencies were doing their work, even though there were challenges.

    “Indeed, all agencies involved with security, including the Army, which tackle subversive activities, were all doing their works appropriately at that time and they were being provided with relatively sufficient funds to carry out their statutory responsibilities.

    “Nevertheless, security vote was not a source of such huge expenditures as it is today; there is no justification for the billions that they are spending today, it is only part of the corrupt practices by those in government.

    “The people who really need what is being expended as security vote are the police and they are not being given; rather, the governors dish out the funds to themselves and all the people close to them.

    “Definitely, governors need security votes but very minimal and reasonable amount should be adequate because the police and other security agencies’ work is being hampered when they are not provided with sufficient funds.

    “Even though the governors are called Chief Security Officers, they don’t really need to have such funds; they cannot exercise such roles because they do not have the personnel, so why give them such monies?

    “It is only part of the system’s way of sustaining corruption now; when I was a governor, the security vote of N100, 000 was under the complete direction of the Secretary to the State Government, I did not know anything about the disbursement.

    “However, today, unrealistic amounts are in the hands of governors as security vote and some of them use it for the maintenance of their farms, private companies and the maintenance of their friends and families instead of using it to provide security,” Alhaji Balarabe Musa said.

  • Baby boy for Musa, wife

    Super Eagles’ and Leicester City speedster Ahmed Musa took to his Instagram page late on Thursday evening to announce the arrival of a new baby into his family, AOIFootball.com reports.

    Already with a son and daughter with his former wife, the former CSKA Moscow forward who married his new wife Juliet Elue in July 2017 welcomed the addition of his new son to the family.

    “I would like to announce to you all that moments ago Allah blessed me with a beautiful baby boy! Words cannot describe this feeling!?? ?? ??” he posted.

    Meanwhile, Musa has applauded fans despite losing the 2018 World Cup best goal award to France defender Benjamin Pavard.

    The Leicester City forward’s second goal for Nigeria in their 2-0 victory over Iceland was shortlisted along 17 others for the individual prize. And on Wednesday, FIFA announced Pavard’s stunner against Argentina as the best in the tournament with Musa’s effort settling for the eighth spot.

    The former VVV Venlo man then took to the social media to appreciate his supporters for voting for him.

    “I just want to thank you all for voting. This goal is bigger than me it has shown the world that Nigeria has quality on the world stage and we look to improve in the future,” Musa wrote on Twitter.

  • Musa promises more goals after opening account in Russia

    Super Eagles’ and CSKA Moscow forward, Ahmed Musa has promised to bang in more goals after scoring his first goal in the Russian Premier League since his return to CSKA Moscow, AOIFootball.com reports.

    Musa, who is on loan from former English Premier League champions, Leicester City, secured a point for his club against Sylvester Igbonu’s UFA FC after lashing on a loose ball in the 78th minute, his first for CSKA this season.

    The former VVV Venlo speed demon has however promised to get more goals before the end of the season.

    “It is a good feeling to have scored for my club. I always want to score but you know, if the goals don’t come, you have to keep trying and that is what I will continue to do,” Musa said.

    Since joining on loan in January, Musa has scored twice for CSKA, with the other goal coming against Lyon in the round of 16 of the Europa League.

    Meanwhile, Super Eagles’ coach Gernot Rohr has refused to criticize Ahmed Musa, following his conflict with the CSKA Moscow coach Viktor Goncharenko in the 25th round of matches in the Russian Premier League.

    It would be recalled that the Leicester City loanee was not pleased that he was substituted in the 58th minute against Dynamo Moscow and refused to shake hands with the Belarusian manager when he left the pitch.

    Though Rohr has publicly defended Musa, the German should be aware of his disciplinary problems, with the striker threatening to quit the Super Eagles camp after the captain’s armband was handed to Eddy Onazi before the friendly against Senegal in March 2017.

    ”We do not know what happened between Musa and Goncharenko, so we cannot comment on the incident with the handshake,” Rohr told Championat.com’s Daniil Borozdin.

    ”I will only note that Ahmed is a very disciplined player and an important member of the Nigerian national team.

    ”This is one of our most experienced players, the team leader. Never before has he been seen in the negative impact on our team.”

    Musa has scored two goals in eleven starts for CSKA Moscow since his return to the capital outfit in the January transfer window.

  • Arsenal wary of rejuvenated Musa

    ENGLISH Premier League club, Arsenal is reportedly disturbed about CSKA Moscow’s rejuvenated forward Ahmed Musa, who is on loan from Leicester City, as both sides clash in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals on Thursday, AOIFootball.com reports.

    Musa, who has found his form following his return to the club where he won three Russian Premier League titles, knows the Arsene Wenger-tutored side in and out, having played against them, while at Leicester, and will be the main man to watch on Thursday night.

    The Nigerian forward has scored two goals since returning, including an important one in the second leg against Lyon that saw his team qualify for the quarterfinals.

    Arsene Wenger’s side is brimming with confidence following their 3-0 victory over Stoke City at the weekend but will be battle ready at the Emirates when they host CSKA.

    Meanwhile, Musa is among the four strikers in the Army Men’s traveling party, and will compete for one of the attacking positions with Vitinho, Timur Zhamaletdinov and Fedor Chalov.

    The Leicester City loanee will be hoping to play his 36th game in a European club competition against the Gunners.

    Fellow Nigeria international Alex Iwobi, who was benched in Arsenal’s 3-0 win against Stoke City last weekend, is in contention to play his fifth game in the Europa League against the Muscovites.

    CSKA Moscow Squad

    Goalkeepers: Igor Akinfeev, Ilya Pomazun.

    Defenders: Vasili Berezutski, Kirill Nababkin, Aleksei Berezutski, Sergei Ignashevich, Georgy Schennikov.

    Midfielders: Pontus Wernbloom, Aleksandr Golovin, Alan Dzagoev, Bibras Natkho, Konstantin Kuchaev, Khetag Khosonov, Georgi Milanov,Kristijan Bistrovic.

    Forwards: Vitinho, Timur Zhamaletdinov, Ahmed Musa, Fedor Chalov.

  • Marital issues affected me at Leicester — Musa

    Marital issues affected me at Leicester — Musa

    • Fenerbahce targets Eagles star

    Super Eagles and Leicester City forward Ahmed Musa says he is looking forward to a better season in England than the one he had last season after marrying his new wife Juliet Adeh last month.

    Musa struggled for form and consistency following his big money move from CSKA Moscow to the former Premier League Champions, and at a point failed to make the matchday squad in some of their games.

    The 24 year old puts it’s down to issues in his marriage, and after divorcing his wife of four years and mother of his two kids Jamila, Musa told Complete Sports that he is once again happy following his marriage to Juliet.

    “Marriage is not new to me but I believe it was a right move to make when I did. The past remains in the past.

    I’m happy now and I think well and I can focus on my game which suffered a bit.” Musa said.

    Linked with a move away from the King Power stadium, the speedy winger who is also comfortable as a forward insist he has a future at the club, hence he is not willing to consider a move away.

    Nigerian Ahmed Musa and his Leicester City teammate Jamie Vardy have emerged as Fenerbahce’s primary transfer targets, according to DHA.

    Fenerbahce are looking to boost their attacking ranks, with Dutchman Robin van Persie set to leave the club in the European summer and West Africans strikers Emmanuel Emenike and Moussa Sow also expected to depart.

    DHA claims that the Turkish club will make an offer for the Foxes pair soon and hope that the promise of European is enough to attract them to Istanbul.

    Musa, 24, signed for Leicester last season but struggled to make a major impact at the King Power Stadium. The Nigerian scored four goals in 29 appearances across all competitions.

  • RANIERI BOASTS:Musa much better, confident

    RANIERI BOASTS:Musa much better, confident

    Leicester FC of England’s manager, Claudio Ranieri has warned defenders in Europe that his Nigerian import, Ahmed Musa is much better than he was two months ago, stressing that:”Now he is more confident and for me much better.”

    Basking in the euphoria of watching Musa score two goals that guaranteed Leicester a passage into the fourth round of England’s most prestigeous football competitions, the FA Cup, Ranieri said: “He was used to playing in Russia. In Russia he scored a lot of goals because he was quicker than the other defenders. Here everyone is quick and strong. Now he is more confident and for me much better.
    “It is important for Musa because I saw him in the last month and he is much better. Maybe he understands better the Premier League, the fight, and everything. He was a very good threat to Everton,” Ranieri told Leicester Mercury.
    “It was similar to Jamie Vardy. Everybody was calmer when he attacked the space. It was good. Every league is different. In Italy, it is more tactical and the players must work so hard with the movement. Here you have to understand the spirit of the competition. Every ball is the last ball.
    Ranieri’s new swansong is coming on the heels of protests by Leicester’s fans after Everton beat them at home at the King Power Stadium urging him to field Musa in their matches or allow the Nigerian retrun to Russia, where he shone like a million stars, culminating into his move to England this season.
    This will not be the first time that Musa has scored goals for Leicester with Ranieri dropping him in preference for Vardy, whose goal-scoring instinct has not been as sharp as it was last season.
    It remains to be seen if Ranieri will give Musa the return of matches that he he gives to Vardy. This is what Leicester’s fans are asking the Italian tatician to do since they know Musa’s potential, having watched him play for CSKA Moscow, where he scored goals with aplomb.

  • FA Cup: Musa brace lifts Leicester, Ndidi shines

    FA Cup: Musa brace lifts Leicester, Ndidi shines

    THIS is why they signed him. After so many months of frustration, after all the questions about his worth, Ahmed Musa burst into life just when Claudio Ranieri needed.

    Musa was at the double as Leicester City picked up a rare away victory at Everton, winning 2-1 to advance to the FA Cup fourth round.

    Claudio Ranieri’s side had previously won only once on their travels all season, at Club Brugge in the Champions League, but they got the best of a manic eight-minute period in which all three goals arrived.

    Romelu Lukaku had given Everton a deserved lead, but Musa struck twice in the space of five minutes to turn the game on its head and secure the Foxes’ first FA Cup win over the Toffees.

    New signing Ademola Lookman was presented to the Everton fans pre-match and the winger could be in line for a swift summons to the first team on the evidence of the Toffees’ first-half efforts on the flanks.

    Leicester debutant Wilfred Ndidi was an imposing presence in the heart of midfield, pushing Everton out wide, but their final ball was routinely lacking.

    Demarai Gray forced Joel Robles into a save from an angle, but the Foxes were under the cosh and Ranieri’s plans were altered when Leonardo Ulloa pulled a hamstring and he was replaced by Musa.

    Lukaku came into the game late in the half, heading a sharp chance over from Valencia’s cross and then shooting off-target from 25 yards after Ndidi was bested on a rare occasion.

    Koeman switched to a back four at the break, replacing Mason Holgate with Deulofeu and the Spaniard immediately looked a greater threat on the wing, but Lukaku was flagged offside from a fine delivery.

    It served as a warning that the visitors did not heed as the same combination put Everton ahead, Deulofeu bursting past Ben Chilwell on the right and cutting back for Lukaku to slot beyond Kasper Schmeichel.

    Having probed and probed for their opener, Everton coughed up the lead cheaply just four minutes later, Musa scrambling home after his initial shot had rebounded off the post.

    And Goodison was soon left stunned as Musa again struck to put the Foxes ahead, playing a neat one-two with Danny Drinkwater and slamming beyond the advancing Joel.

  • Ranieri praises Musa for precious equaliser for Leicester

    Ranieri praises Musa for precious equaliser for Leicester

    LEICESTER City boss Claudio Ranieri has praised Ahmed Musa for the way the Nigeria forward took his goal in the Foxes’ 1-1 Premier League draw at Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.

    Musa equalised for Leicester off a Jamie Vardy assist after Vincent Janssen had given Spurs the lead from the penalty spot.

    It was Musa’s second goal of the season in back-to-back games. Musa’s good form has arrived just in time for Nigeria’s key World Cup qualifier against Algeria on 12 November.

    In his post-match comments, Ranieri admitted Musa is beginning to come to grips with the English Premier League.

    “Musa is a good player and slowly starting to understand the Premier League. He saw the ball arrive and was very strong,” Ranieri said.

    The Italian coach went on to describe Leicester’s general play as outstanding against Spurs.

    “I’m pleased with the point, our performance and our spirit. We played together and we fought together. Outstanding,” he added.

    “We always try to win. That’s the magic of English football – both teams giving everything to try to win.”

    “We played well today against a good team. Our spirit often this season has been singular, but today it was squad spirit.”

    The result earned Leicester City earned their first away point in the Premier League this season as Ahmed Musa levelled to secure a deserved draw for the defending champions at Tottenham.

    Vincent Janssen gave the hosts the lead at White Hart Lane, scoring his first Premier League goal from the penalty spot after Robert Huth had felled the striker.