Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa is set to join former Eagles’ mates Vincent Enyeama and Joseph Yobo in the Royal Centurions’ Army, writes IKENWA NNABUOGOR..
Though slowing down a bit from his erstwhile fiery self, Saudi Arabia-based striker Ahmed Musa is just seven games away from entering into the Nigeria’s Century Club.
He grabbed his 93rd cap in the last friendly against Tunisia earlier this month to click the auxiliary gear into his frantic pursuit of the Century Club.
The Century Club is in serious dire need of members and at last count, it’s scarcely peopled by just two players – Vincent Enyeama and Joseph Yobo, both Eagles captains at some points in their careers.
Though many have argued that the late former Eagles captain Mudashiru Lawal played more than 100 games for his country, but poor administrative record has denied him his place in history.
Musa is still just 27 and still has the time to equal and even smash the records of the joint leading centurions as he is showing no immediate plans of leaving the scene.
One-time busiest player in Nigeria, Ahmed Musa shuttled among shifts in the U-20, Olympics team and the Super Eagles and proudly displayed two gold medals and a couple more bronze medals around his young neck to put gloss on his international football.
Since his debut against Madagascar in a 2012 Africa Nations Cup qualifier in August 5, 2010, coming on as a substitute for Mikel Obi, Musa has remained an integral part of the Eagles team till date.
Musa’s Eagles best has arguably been domiciled in the past, but he has got the capacity to turn on his magic any time, meaning he could still dig up those exciting moments of his that endeared fans to him.
Could Musa’s Eagles have been hurt since he moved to the Persian Gulf?
Analysts may not be far from the truth, but it’s argued that despite his move to the Gulf, his presence in the Eagles’ attacking line has continued to be felt.
His chances at goal seem to have taken a dip since his two-goal wonder at 2018 Russia World Cup, but his contributions cannot be overlooked.
Musa still remains coach Gernot Rohr’s trusted lieutenant and only injury or horrible loss of form will stop the former CSKA Moscow star from putting on the colours of his country.
Perhaps, he can get his Eagles groove back if he returns to Europe as there are speculations he could be leaving Al-Nassr any time soon.
The best of the Super Eagles are in Europe and a return won’t be such a bad idea.
It’s understandable that he chased petro-dollars to Saudi and his bank balances continue to command multiple figures, making him one of the richest Eagles players of all time.
Just seven games away from Eldorado, smart money will be on him to become the most capped Eagles player of all time.
At 27, and with lots of games on the Eagles’ calendar, Musa would have turned out for his country 105 times before the African Cup of Nations in Cameroon in 2022.
Perhaps, he could be pursuing a mouth-watering 120-cap mark by the time he hangs up his boots.
