VICE PRESIDENT of the Nigerian Coaches’ Association (NCA), Isa Ladan Bosso, has led a delegation of coaches on a condolence visit to the family of the late Musa Abdullahi. Musa, a former Flying Eagles coach, died at his country home in Koto Karfe, Kogi State on Sunday, after a long battle with stroke. The delegation, which included Rangers’ coach John Obuh, the chairman of Kwara Coaching Association, Olayinka Clement, Suleiman Shaibu and Mansur Abdullahi, made the trip to Koto Karfe on Wednesday and attended the three-day Fidau prayer organised for the deceased. The delegation was received by the deceased’s wife, Hajia Bilikisu Musa, the deceased’s immediate brother, Mallam Musa and other relatives. The coaches presented an undisclosed amount as well as foodstuff to the family, which was received by Hajia Musa. They also promised to continue to support the family. Responding on behalf of the family, Hajia Musa thanked the entourage for their kind gesture. “During our last congress, we set up a delegation which was headed by me and we gathered money among ourselves to buy foodstuff and cash which was delivered to his wife,” Bosso said in an interview with SportingLife. “We just want them to bear the loss and believe in God. In our end, we will continue to give them necessary support to better their lives. We told them that for any assistance that needs urgent attention, they should contact us. The immediate brother of Musa Abdullahi, Mallam Yakubu has already sent a thank you massage to us.”
Tag: Musa
-
Amuneke roots for Enyeama , Musa
Former African footballer of the year, Emmanuel Amuneke has thrown his weight behind Super Eagles duo of Vincent Enyeama and Ahmed Musa as they bid to become the first Nigerians to win the CAF player of the Year Award since Nwankwo Kanu last won it 14 years ago.
Both players were in superb form last season for their respective clubs and played key roles as Nigeria emerged champions of Africa in 2013. Enyeama had an awesome year at Lille of France last season as he kept an astonishing 21 clean sheets and had a fantastic 2014 FIFA World Cup.
The 32-year-old unfortunately lost the BBC African player of the year title to Algerian forward Yacine Brahimi after they were both nominated alongside current CAF player of the year Yaya Toure (Cote d’Ivoire), Perre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon), and Gevinho (Cote d’Ivoire).
Consequently, Enyeama’s teammate in the national team, Ahmed Musa was in flying form for CSKA Moscow last season and carried the form into the 2014 World Cup in Brazil where he shone brilliantly scoring two fantastic goals against Argentina in one of Nigeria’s group games and helping the Super Eagles qualify for the round of 16 but lost out to France in a keenly contested game.
‘I think it’s good for our football that Enyeama and Musa have been nominated for the award,’ Amuneke told SportingLife in an exclusive chat.
‘It shows that our players have performed well for the past year and also in the World Cup. I think both players were very outstanding at the World Cup and have been the backbone of the national team in recent times.’
However, he warned that it won’t be an easy ride to the crown for both players as Manchester City star and current holder of the CAF player of the year title Yaya Toure is a huge favourite for the award but states that his heart lies with the Nigerian duo.
‘We must put it in mind that Yaya Toure is an outstanding player – if you look at the African continent today, you will agree that Yaya is absolutely a brilliant player so let’s see how it goes.
‘But on a patriotic side, I sincerely want Enyeama or Musa to win it which will serve as motivation for the younger generation of players,’ he opined.
The former Barcelona, Sporting Lisbon, and Zamalek winger advised both players to continue working hard because that’s the key to greater success.
‘Regardless of whether they win or not, I pray they continue to work hard because that is the only way to go. I won the African footballer of the year award even when I was not playing in Europe but when I was with Egyptian side Zamalek and all was through hardwork.
‘My philosophy of life is that no one is going to gift you anything except you work very hard then God will do the rest for you,’ he added.
The Nigerian duo were nominated alongside Asamoah Gyan (Ghana & Al Ain), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon & Borussia Dortmund), and Yaya Toure (Ivory Coast & Manchester City) and the list is expected to be pruned down to a final shortlist of three before the award ceremony in Lagos on January 8.
-
We capitalised on Man City’s lack of confidence-Musa
Ahmed Musa, who had 90 minutes of action for CSKA Moscow in their shock 2-1 win over Manchester City at the Etihad in the UEFA Champions league on Wednesday night has revealed the Russian champions knew the English Champions were battling a confidence crisis in Europe and they capitalised on it.
Goals from Seydou Doumbia either side of a Yaya Toure’s equalizer helped CSKA Moscow beat a nine-man Manchester City and Musa credited coach Leonid Slutsky’s pre-match talk as he advised them to hit the Champions of England with an early goal and kill off their fragile confidence.
CSKA Moscow scored in the second minute of play and even though Yaya Toure levelled things up for City six minutes later, Musa believes the early goal as planned in their pre-match talk played a role in destroying City’s confidence from which Doumbia profited to score his second and his team’s winning goal before the half time break.
“The coach told us their confidence in Europe is low and we can capitalise on that if we score early, and thankfully we did and we got the result our performance deserved,” he told SL10.ng.
Musa, who won a free kick off Gael Clichy from which Bebras Natcho whipped in an effort which was nodded home by Doumbia for his second of the game, insists they still have a chance of progressing to the knock-out stage of the competition.
“When were drawn in this group, some people said we would be the whipping boys of the group, but I remember saying we will survive,” added Musa.
“My stand hasn’t changed yet, in fact now more than ever I believe we will qualify for the knockout rounds.”
The Russian champions are currently third in the group on four points, the same points as second place Roma with two games left.
With Bayern Munich already through to the knock-out round the group’s last ticket will be contested for by Roma, CSKA and Manchester City who are bottom with two points.
-
Musa hints at January move to Spurs
Nigeria striker Ahmed Musa has remained calm in the wake of recent reports linking him to Barclays Premier League club, Tottenham Hotspur, but hints at a possible January move.
Spurs have been tracking Musa since 2011 and are still showing interest in the 22-year-old, who has made it clear he is “comfortable” at CSKA Moscow despite harbouring the ambitions of playing in the English top flight in the future.
The CSKA Moscow man, who played in the 2-2 draw in Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League match against English champions, Manchester City, said a January transfer could happen.
But he stated that the decision of leaving CSKA Moscow is not one he will make, as he is focused on helping his Russian club win trophies.
“Playing in the (English) Premier League someday has always been my wish. I’m aware that my manager has been discussing with some premiership clubs. Maybe in January something will happen, or maybe not but I’m not in a hurry at all.
“I’m happy and very comfortable with where I am at the moment. If the right club comes and my manager and my club are happy with the deal then maybe something will happen but for now my focus is on doing well for CSKA Moscow and nothing else,” Musa said to supersport.com.
Musa has scored more than 20 goals for CSKA since joining the Moscow club two years ago.
-
Musa: My brace was for Keshi
Super Eagles two-goal hero, Ahmed Musa, has dedicated his brace in the 3-1 win over Sudan to former Nigeria boss, Stephen Keshi.
The CSKA Moscow winger bagged two goals in to help the Eagles claim their first Afcon qualifying win in Group A and the 22-year-old was sad to see the Big Boss leave.
“Yes my brace is for him, sad to see him go and proud I lifted some pressure of him, he is like a father to me in the team,” he told SL10.ng.
Musa remains optimistic the Eagles will secure a ticket to next year’s Cup of Nations, despite playing catch up to South Africa and Congo in their group.
“I believe we will qualify, I have never doubted it, mathematically and otherwise we still stand a chance of even finishing top of our group.”
The Russian-based speedy ace welcomed Amodu Shuaibu as the new boss of the Super Eagles and said he has trust in the manager’s experience.
“He is welcome, as players we have little or no control over who manages our team, regardless of the manager I’m ready to give my all to Nigeria,” he added.
“My country comes first and I eye to do more for the team as long as God strengthens me.
“He is a veteran coach,highly experienced and that will work well for us as a team, we can turn this around and an experience head like him will make it easy.”
Musa is in a race against time to arrive Russia in time for CSKA Moscow’s game against Kuban Krasnodar today in the Russia premier league.
-
MUSA TOLD ME HE WILL SCORE – OSHANIWA
Nigeria defender Juwon Oshaniwa has told AfricanFootball.com that Ahmed Musa who netted a brace in a 3-1 win over Sudan on Wednesday told him he will score minutes before the kick-off.
“Before the kick-off of the game I tasked Ahmed (Musa) on scoring goal against Sudan, he told me he is going to do that as his birthday goal. And he scored a brace,” Oshaniwa told AfricanFootball.com
The FC Ashdod of Israel defender also commended the fans for their support.
“Honestly the fans were awesome, they were solidly behind us and never left us even when it was difficult during the game. We really appreciate them,” he said.
He also revealed that team work earned them victory.
“Team work and hard work won the game for us. Knowing how important the game was to us, we worked hard and God granted us victory,” he said.
-
Musa seeks revenge against Man City
Ahmed Musa has told AfricanFootball.com he wishes to take his pound of flesh on Manchester City after his Russian club CSKA Moscow and the EPL champions were again drawn in the same group in the UEFA Champions League.
CSKA Moscow will play in Group E alongside Bayern Munich, Manchester City and Roma.
Last season, Manchester City defeated CSKA Moscow 2-1 in Russia and 5-2 in England in the Champions League and Nigeria international Ahmed Musa has now vowed this will not happen again.
“It is a tough group as there are no small teams, but I believe we will qualify from this group,” the Nigeria World Cup star told AfricanFootball.com.
“We played Manchester City last season and we lost both legs, but this time, we want to win. It is a mission that is very possible.
“I also want us to do better than we have done in the past in the Champions League.”
CSKA reached the Round of 16 in the 2011/12 season of the Champions League.
-
Musa: A Russian and African Champion
Against Uruguay he demonstrated a preference to switch between the flanks and confound the opposition full-backs. This is an approach that could be devastating if performed in tandem with Moses, Victor Obinna or Sone Aluko.
It is easy to overlook Musa’s contribution in the defeat to Spain. It’s not always easy to take positives from a 3-0 loss, but the forward’s work on the left-hand side, where he was up against Alvaro Arbeloa and Gerard Pique was exceptional. He demonstrated his role as a valuable counter-attacking option against elite opponents who will look to impose great pressure upon Nigeria.
His acceleration is awesome and during this bout he sent a number of teasing crosses into the box. Had Emenike, or even someone with the presence of Shola Ameobi or Bright Dike been operating up top instead of Akpala, then there is every chance that one of Musa’s balls might have been turned into the net.
A goal could feasibly have changed the complexion of the game. Considering these qualities, only briefly outlined here, as well has his international experience and the momentum he is enjoying following a hugely-successful 2013, Musa has every chance of making a major impact at the World Cup. There are certainly areas of his game to improve over the coming six months, but if he can continue his progress, then both Bosnia and Iran, as well as, perhaps most-importantly, Argentina, will have reasons to fear this prodigious young talent.
Could Ahmed Musa’s name one day be uttered within the same breath as Owen, Donovan and Pele?
•Culled from goal.com
-
Musa laments: My goal was good
Ahmed Musa has said his goal for CSKA Moscow against Manchester City in the Champions League should not have been disallowed.
Musa scored a goal in the 80th minute when he unleashed an absolute screamer from the edge of the box into the top corner of the net after he received a ball from Japan star Honda.
However, the referee overruled this effort because he believed a high foot had nearly connected with Yaya Toure’s head who tried to clear but missed it.
“To me it was a good goal, I would have loved to see it stand because it would have given us a point from the game, but the referee felt otherwise, he has the final say,” Musa told MTNFootball.com.
Sergio Aguero scored a brace for Manchester City, while Tosic scored CSKA Moscow’s consolation goal.
CSKA are now third in the standings in Group D with three points behind Bayern Munich and Manchester City, who are on nine points and six points, respectively.
Nigeria international Ahmed Musa, a 50th minute substitute for Steven Zuber, said he was disappointed with the 2-1 loss to City at home on Wednesday.
“I was not happy that we lost the game, but that is football. We look forward to a positive result in the next game,” he told MTNFootball.com.
CSKA Moscow next game in the competition is away to Manchester City on Tuesday, November 5.
-
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Musa’s ‘goal’ disallowed in CSKA defeat
Nigerian winger Ahmed Musa will be cursing his luck after what he thought was a brilliant goal was disallowed as Russian club, CSKA Moscow lost 1-2 to Manchester City on match day three of the UEFA Champions’ League on Wednesday.
The Nigerian was surprisingly left out of the CSKA Moscow starting team sheet but quickly made his presence felt after he was introduced five minutes after the break at the Arena Khimki.
He was initially booked for dissent in the 71st minute for complaining too loudly after the referee, Ovidiu Hategan failed to award a penalty after Musa felt he was fouled in the City penalty area.
Ten minutes before the end, the former VVV Venlo man had the ball in back of the net in spectacular fashion after he volleyed past a despairing Joe Hart, but Hategan ruled that Yaya Toure was fouled by Pontus Wernbloom in the build-up.
Musa almost gained his pound of flesh five minutes later but was denied by Hart.
The defeat leaves CSKA in a precarious position in group D as they have only picked up three points from their opening three games.
The 21-year-old who started in CSKA’s two previous Champions’ League games against Bayern Munich and Viktoria Plzen has scored five goals in the Russia Premier League this season.