The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Musa

  • Wikki Tourists appoint Musa Matori as chairman

    Bauchi State government has appointed Isa Musa Matori as the new chairman of Wikki Tourists.

    The club’s secretary, Hammed Tijjani Suleiman, who confirmed the report to SportingLife, said Matori’s appointment is with immediate effect.

    Matori replaced former chairman Suleiman Abdullahi Chindo who was removed after Wikki Tourists’ home game against Enyimba last season.

    Matori, a former House of Representative member, who is making his second return as Wikki Tourists chairman, received his appointment letter on Thursday evening.

    Suleiman, who was in charge of the team last season when the coach Abdul Maikaba tutored-side finished fourth on the table, described Matori’s appointment as the best decision from the state government.

    “This is a perfect new year gift for Wikki Tourists and our teeming fans. He is a good man who is ready to give everything for the progress of the team. He is a very hard working administrator and the good thing is that he was a former chairman of the club. So he knows the terrain very well. There is no doubt that we will achieve more success under his leadership,” Suleiman told SportingLife.

  • Nigeria vs Egypt Musa wants six points versus Pharaohs

    Nigeria vs Egypt Musa wants six points versus Pharaohs

    Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa, insists positive results against Egypt in Nigeria’s next two Afcon is vital if the West African nation is to return to the top of African football.

    Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea following a shocking qualification campaign and currently trail leaders, Egypt by two points in Group G of 2017 Afcon qualifying.

    The Super Eagles will face the Pharaohs in two qualification games in March 2016 and Musa says nothing short of good results from both fixtures will be tolerated.

    “We know we have very tough games against Egypt in the New Year.

    “We know we have to win at home against them in March (2016) and also go to Cairo and win there.

    “They are going to be tough matches but we know the importance of the games.

    “Without wins in those matches, we will not qualify for the Afcon so we are working very hard to see that we win those two games,” Musa told Nigeria Info FM.

    The CSKA Moscow forward also took the time to discuss the state of health of head coach, Sunday Oliseh who is currently indisposed.

    “I always talk to the coach and I hope by the grace of God, he will be well soon,” he said.

  • Musa blames pitch,poor light for Lobamba draw

    Musa blames pitch,poor light for Lobamba draw

    •Eagles’ captain says Swaziland’ll fall in Port Harcourt

    Super Eagles captain and CSKA Moscow striker Ahmed Musa is very optimistic that the team will definitely complete the job they could not finish in Swaziland.

    He is confident home support will be the deciding factor in tomorrow’s most anticipated game.

    His words: ” We  will be at home, they were in their home. At home we will have all our fans that will cheer us which will aid us to play well to win the game. Because we know the importance of the game.”

    Musa revealed that the Eagles did not think they would play a draw with the minnows from Swaziland. ” Unfortunately, I will not say I am happy with the result because we did not come here for a draw but to win. However, I am going to say it was a good game. The Swazi team played a very good game.”

    Musa was, however, confident the Eagles will surely wrap things up in Port Harcourt tomorrow to make the third round of the FIFA World Cup 2018 Qualifiers:

    “For me, football is all about challenges. I expected all that and I am happy with the way the game went. I don’t think that the Swazi team have a 50-50 chance when they come to Nigeria to play us. They are coming to Nigeria to meet us. It’ll be a tough game for them.Swaziland will have to get ready,”he said.

    Musa rated himself favourably in the first game but also revealed that the Eagles were handicapped in some areas: “For me, I played well enough. I don’t have any problem. As you can see the pitch is very small, the light is not what we needed. Because in Nigeria we cannot have this. From one end of the post you cannot see the other post. For me that is not standard light for playing at night,” he said.

  • 2015 African Player of the Year: Musa, Enyeama chase Yaya’s crown

    2015 African Player of the Year: Musa, Enyeama chase Yaya’s crown

      • CAF unveils 37 nominees

    Two Super Eagles’ stars, Ahmed Musa and Vincent Enyeama have another opportunity of being named the 2015 African Player of the Year following their inclusion in the list of 37 nominees released yesterday for the prestigious award by the Confederation of African Football(CAF).

    For Enyeama, who purportedly settled his rift with the Eagles chief coach Sunday Oliseh last Saturday, his nomination gives him the chance to challenge the incumbent winner,Yaya Toure who also made the list for the upteenth time.

    The Lille of France goalkeeper came so close to winning the last edition of the glamorous award but lost narrowly to Yaya Toure after emerging runner up at the awards ceremony held in Lagos in January.

    Two years ago, it was another Eagles’ star, Mikel Obi who gave Yaya Toure a run for his money before the Ivorian midfield maestro was eventually pronounced winner.

    For the past three years, Ahmed Musa had been able to as far as making the 10-man shortlist but his form for CSKA Moscow this season where he has already scored nine goals in the Russian Premier League and the UEFA Champions League should push him further into contention this year.

    Other notable names in the list include the reigning champion,Yaya Toure of Manchester City,Borussia Dortmund’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Victor Wanyama of Southampton, Yacine Brahimi of FC Porto and Roma’s Seydou Keita.

    Yaya Toure has won this prestigious award four times in a row beating Cameroon’s Samuel Eto’o who held the previous record of four titles but not in straight years.

    The African award is decided by a vote of the coaches or technical directors of the continent’s national teams

  • Musa, Iwobi to hit Belgium today

    Musa, Iwobi to hit Belgium today

    SportingLife can exclusively confirm that CSKA Moscow of Russia  striker Ahmed Musa and Arsenal’s talented teenage striker Alex Iwobi will hit Belgium today for the Super Eagles’ two friendly matches holding in the country.

    The Nigeria’s senior national team will slug it out against Democratic Republic of Congo slated for Stade Charles Tondreau on Thursday and against Cameroun at Stade Van Roy on  October 11.

    Musa told SportingLife “All things being possible I hope to be in Belgium  on Monday (today).”

    Alex Iwobi’s father, Chuka also confirmed his son’s arrival date for the Belgium friendlies.

    “Alex will definitely be in Belgium tomorrow (today). The ticket has been booked. Alex is looking forward to working with Oliseh and is happy with his decision to play for the country of his birth and has the full support of the family”, Iwobi senior told SportingLife yesterday.

  • Musa asks fans for patience

    Musa asks fans for patience

    Nigeria Super Eagles skipper, Ahmed Musa is satisfied with the draw against Tanzania but has intimated that there was still room for improvement.

    Musa, who was handed the captain’s armband in the absence of Vincent Enyeama, said that football dynamics had changed in Africa and even though Nigeria are regarded as a big team, other opponents like Tanzania were equally working hard to get good results.

    “We came to Tanzania hoping for a win but let’s be realistic the draw was not a bad result considering we have new players on the team and that means we have to give them time to adjust”

    “The game against Tanzania was not easy as they were very determined . Football has changed and nowadays we have no small or big teams.

    “We only trained together for two days that is why the result can be described as fair, however we have vowed that we will come back better and stronger in the subsequent matches,”Musa told supersport.com.

    “We just ask for patience for the rebuilding process as it will take some time. But we will definitely bounce back in style in our next game because we have noted our weak points,” he added

  • Ahmed Musa: It feels great

    Ahmed Musa: It feels great

    Nigeria international star Ahmed Musa has told AfricanFootball.com he is elated to have scored the goal that sealed the passage of his Russian club CSKA Moscow to the group stage of the UEFA Champions League for the third straight season.

    CSKA won 3-1 at home Wednesday night to upturn a 2-1 loss at Sporting Lisbon of Portugal a week ago with Ahmed Musa dealing the killer goal with just five minutes left of action.

    It was the fourth Champions League goal for the speedy forward, who has also netted thrice in the Russian league.

    Qualification for the mini-league phase of the Champions League will guarantee the Russian army team at least 10 million pounds.

    “I feel very happy to score the goal that qualified us to the group stage of the Champions League. It was great getting the goal. It was a great moment for me and the team,” a delighted Musa told AfricanFootball.com.

    The one-time hotshot of the Nigeria premier league also revealed to AfricanFootball.com it never crossed his mind CSKA will falter at home against Sporting Lisbon.

    “There was no point during the game that I felt we won’t win. The goal is for my family,” said Ahmed Musa.

  • Musa scores in CSKA rout

    Musa scores in CSKA rout

    Ahmed Musa was in blistering mood on Wednesday as he helped CSKA Moscow pummel Russian lower League side Khimki 4-1 in a pre-season friendly.

    It took the Nigerian just five minutes to register his name on the scoresheet two minutes after teammate Georgi Milanov netted the opener as Leonid Viktorovich Slutsky’s men raced into a two goals lead in the first half.

    Khimki played themselves back into the game when Mikhail Markosov scored to make it 2-1 but goals from Roman Eremenko and Pontus Wernbloom took steam off the game to hand the Russian league runners up a comprehensive win.

    Having seemingly rediscovered his scoring form, Musa, a winner of two Russian League titles, one Russian Cup and two Russian Super Cups, will be all out to better the ten goals he netted last season as the Railway Boys finished second in the Russian Premier division last season.

    CSKA will be starting their campaign at home against Rubin Kazan in the new season on July 17.

  • MUSA CHARGES EAGLES:Bomb Chad with goals

    MUSA CHARGES EAGLES:Bomb Chad with goals

    CSKA Moscow and Eagles winger, Ahmed Musa has predicted a tricky tie against Chad in the 2017 AFCON qualifiers in the first leg which comes up next month.

    Musa told www.footballlive.ng  he expects a tough match up but has voiced concerns over the team’s lack of firing power to finish up games.

    “We know the game is not going to be easy; it is going to be difficult indeed. But I feel its up to the team to work hard.”

    Nigeria will relaunch a bid to exert itself as a continental power house again, but Musa who insists talk must be backed by hardwork suggests there can be no room for complacency or let ups.

    “I expect a tough first leg match but we must create many chances and take them. We must utilise our chances to score many goals, a draw is the last thing anyone desires against Chad.”

  • Ubale, Musa, Eugene join Nasarawa Utd

    Ubale, Musa, Eugene join Nasarawa Utd

    SportingLife can  exclusively reveal that the trio of Mannir Ubale, Mustapha Musa and Obi Eugene will play for Nasarawa United in the 2014/2015 Glo Premier League season.

    Ubale, Musa as well as Eugene helped Kano Pillars win the Glo Premier League title back to back.

    SportingLife gathered that the players have started training with the Solid Miners.

    Confirming the reports, the club’s Technical Adviser, Mohammed Baba Ganaru told SportingLife that talks are ongoing with the players’ agents and their former club.

    Ganaru said he is strengthening his squad with the trio because of their experience in the league over the years.

    Ganaru worked with Ubale, Musa and Eugene when he was Kano Pillars gaffer. They won the league together for Pillars in the 2012/2013 season.

     “They (players) showed interest to work with me at Nasarawa United and I have no choice than to inculcate them into my plans. I have worked with them before and they have the quality I am looking for in players. Although, negotiations are still ongoing with their club and agents but everything is in order and they will play for us in the coming season,” said Ganaru to SportingLife.

    “We have a great ambition this season and I believe they will be of help to our aspiration. We want to compete for the league title this season and they have shown their readiness to give their best to the team. If you look at both of them you will agree with me that the club is blessed to have them in our team. It will be very easy to work with them because we have done it together before.”

    The former Kano Pillars coach informed that the team has been engaging in pre-season training to keep the players fit for the coming season.

    “We have been participating in the training sessions and we have played friendly matches with some local clubs. All we are trying to do is to ensure that we have a formidable team next season,”he said.