SPORTS
The Return of Ahmed Musa to Kano Pillars FC
A significant development took place in Nigeria’s football transfer market this year. That was when the captain of the national soccer team, Ahmed Musa returned from his exploits in Europe and the Middle East to rejoin his former club in the country, Kano Pillars as a free player.
As a result of Ahmed Musa’s return to Nigeria’s Premier League, the domestic league will no doubt experience some quality as the competition will boast of one of Nigeria’s best footballers ever .
With 54 caps for Nigeria and 17 goals overall for the Super Eagles, the 29 year old footballer is one of the country’s most prolific forwards ever.
Musa, who plays as a forward and left winger for Kano Pillars and the Nigeria national team, became the first Nigerian to score more than once in a FIFA World Cup match, after finding the back of the net twice against Argentina in the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
He is also the first Nigerian to score in two FIFA World Cup competitions, after scoring twice against Iceland in the group stage of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Musa was a member of the Al Nassr squad that won the Saudi Premier League and Saudi Super Cup, both in 2019.
It would require a player with exceptional humility and courage to return from Europen clusides like CSKA Moscow, Leicester, homed as Musa has done.The Kano Pillars striker made his debut for the senior national team 10 years ago and recently he beat his predecessor Mikel Obi to record 92 caps for the Super Eagles, a milestone he achieved below three decades of age.
Musa made his official national team debut on August 5, 2010, at the age of 17, for the Nigeria senior team in a qualification match for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations against Madagascar, where he came on as a substitute for John Obi Mikel in a 2–0 win.
The Kano Pillars forward scored his first goal for the Super Eagles in a March 2011 friendly against Kenya. After featuring for Nigeria against Algeria, in the 2019 AFCON, Musa has overtaken John Obi Mikel to become Nigeria’s third most-capped player with 92 international appearances overtaking Mikel who retired in 2019 after the Eagles finished 3rd in the AFCON. On what informed his decision to return to Nigeria’s League,
the Super Eagles captain said his coming to the Nigerian top-flight Professional Football League was to him improve the image of the country’s football globally.
The 28-year-old rejoined his former club in April after reaching an agreement with the side, which includes a clause that allows him to leave when he finds a club in Europe. The Super Eagles captain had been without a club since leaving Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr in October and in January he was close to joining Premier League club West Bromwich Albion but a deal failed to materialise.The forward then made a surprise return to the NPFL side, where he had starred between 2009 and 2012.
According to him:”Anything that improves the image of Nigerian football is something that I strive to embark on and Kano Pillars holds a special place in my heart,” he said in an interview. He added:
“It’s the team that helped me become the professional footballer I am today, so this is more than just football but a very strong bond.”
“After global come local. It’s better than hanging and idling in Europe. There will always be a place for you at home.” During his time away from Nigeria, Musa won three Russian Premier League titles, Russian Cup and Russian Super Cup.
We wish to once more commend Musa for his boldness to come back home to continue to his football career from where he commenced. It is a good decision that will help to put him in shape for the main task, that of remaining relevant to play for the national team for which he is the captain. Above all for such a high profile footballer, his presence in the home league will inspire the young ones, especially those at the grassroots. We wish to join Ahmed Musa’s numerous fans to welcome him back to
Nigeria and call on other international players to emulate his example if and when the situation calls for.
Nasarawa United Football Club of Lafia on Saturday defeated Lobi Stars of Makurdi 1-0 in a pulsating North Central derby.
The matchday 16 fixture of the 2024/2025 Nigeria Premiere Football League (NPFL) was played at the Lafia Township Stadium, Nasarawa State capital.
The Makurdi side had adopted the Lafia Township Stadium as their home ground for the 2024/2025 NPFL season.
The only goal of the match was scored by Qamar Adegoke in the 12th minute of the match to give all three points to the Lafia side.
Adegoke’s goal, who joined the Lafia team recently, was his second in four matches.
The Nasarawa attacker capitalised on a defensive error by the opponent’s backline and hit the back of the net to give Nasarawa United the advantage.
In a post-match interview, Kabir Dogo, Technical Adviser of Nasarawa United, hailed his players for taking all three points.
He explained that his team had improved by scoring five goals in their last three matches and expressed optimism that they would do better in subsequent games.
“We had a problem in the area of goal scoring in the past, but this has changed in our last three games,” he said.
With the win, Nasarawa United climbed to 14th on the NPFL table, while Lobi Stars remain on 17th position. (NAN)
The Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) is organising a two-day National Coaching Seminar, with the theme: “Leadership and Management Skills”.
The event will take place from Dec. 17 to Dec. 18, at the Additional Sports and Entertainment (ASEP) Pro Limited, in Mowe, Ogun State.
The seminar will enhance the capabilities of Nigerian table tennis coaches, with a particular emphasis on female coaches, aligning with the International Table Tennis Federation’s (ITTF) Gender Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (GEDI) Initiative.
A statement issued by the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation, on Tuesday, said that the seminar was part of the one-week sports and leadership boot camp titled “Awaken the Giant, She Can 4.
0,” proudly supported by NTTF.“This seminar will also represent the third stage of the 2024 “My Gender, My Strength” programme, which has table tennis star Abosede Akinsete, as a beneficiary.
“NTTF President,Tikon Ishaku, Vice President, Adesoji Tayo, and other board members are dedicated to initiatives that support the development of coaches.
“Wahid Enitan-Oshodi, ITTF Executive Vice President, and President of ITTF-Africa, reaffirms his commitment to empowering women in sports, in line with the GEDI Initiative.
He explained that the seminar would feature people, who would speak on leadership and management skills, to enhance the abilities of coaches to identify and develop talents, as well as encourage the development of high-performance table tennis players capable of competing globally. (NAN)
Rivers United Football Club of Port Harcourt on Sunday returned to the 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) summit as strong rivals Remo Stars FC faltered on Match Day 13.
Report says that Rivers United beat visiting Abia Warriors of Umuahia 1-0 after an Ndifreke Effiong 58th minute goal from the penalty kick spot.
Effiong’s goal in the match at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium helped them to move to 25 points from 13 matches, after seven wins, four draws and two losses.
Former leaders Remo Stars dropped to second with 23 points from 13 matches after seven wins, two draws and four losses, following a 0-2 loss to hosts Katsina United.
Plateau United of Jos beat visiting Nasarawa United of Lafia 2-0 to bolster their position.
Shooting Stars Sports Club also struggled to a 1-0 win over visiting Bayelsa United of Yenago.
A 15th minute goal by Anthony Okachi at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan gave them the win.
El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri had on Saturday beaten Akwa United of Uyo 1-0 to move into third place on the table with 22 points from 13 games.
Enyimba International of Aba remained in fourth place with 20 points from 12 matches, with their week 13 game against Sunshine Stars of Akure on hold.
Rangers International of Enugu are in fifth place with 20 points also, after a goalless draw with hosts Heartland FC ain Owerri on Saturday.
Bendel Insurance of Benin had also beaten Kwara United of Ilorin 3-1, while Lobi Stars of Makurdi drew 2-2 with visiting Kano Pillars in Lafia.
NAN reports that the league will enter Match Day 14 on Wednesday.(NAN)
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