Ahmed
Musa was in town, the suburb of Bukuru in Jos, where he was born, raised and
learnt football. He had trained at the muddy pitch of Aminci Football Club, his
grassroots club, in the morning and was scheduled to come back for the evening
session. We heard this and all gathered, waiting to see the guy that has made
the town of Jos very proud with legs that unleash slug. The training was a special
one meant to honor him. All players were unusually serious.
He
was schedule to come later, when the training was already in progress, a mark
of respect. So we waited... three local journalists, kids and unemployed youths
who often spend their free time watching free football. I did not notice when a
black Range Rover jeep arrived but noticed it when it was about to leave. It
was clear that a personage had just arrived. I could see children crowding
around an individual and looked critically to see that the star had arrived. He
appeared so simple he makes you doubt if he is that guy that used to generate
confusion in the goal mouth of opponents. He wore a black T-shirt and Super
Eagles green shorts and prevented his aids from driving away children who crowded
him.
After
exchanging pleasantries, signing autographs and taking photos with fans, it was
time for us the journalists. Musa talked about playing in the English
Premiership League, saying that it is the dream of every Nigerian footballer to
play in the Barclays Premiership League and his own position regarding that
isn’t different. He said that he is aware that he is still young. The
implication is that he has so many years of active football ahead of him and
that playing in Russia is satisfactory but also provides an opportunity to be
noticed by bigger clubs, a lot of which are in England. The star said that even
though he is a fan of Arsenal, it does not mean that he must necessarily play
for Arsenal alone as football these days is also about the money. He is going
to wait and pray for the right time and the right club that destiny brings.
Musa
referred to playing in the Champions League as a dream come true that also
afforded him the chance to meet his favorite player, Christiano Ronaldo of Real
Madrid with whom he had a photograph.
Football
fans will recall that Ahmed Musa joined the Nigerian Senior National team, The
Super Eagles under Coach Samson Siasia who was eventually sacked when we could
not make it to the Nations Cup. Siaisa was replaced by former national team
captain, Stephen Keshi. Musa told us that his fortunes had remained the same
under the different coaches. Siaisa, according to Musa, kept encouraging him,
telling him that he’s got what it takes and can play anywhere around the world.
With Keshi, it is the same thing, he says. Keshi has continued to encourage him
to help him bring out his best.
Musa
expressed disappointment with the inability of the Super Eagles to qualify to
play in the last Nations Cup. He said that one of his immediate dreams is to
play in the Nations Cup and as such he was devastated when the national team
failed to qualify for Africa’s premier football tournament. This time, he says,
he believes they are going to qualify. Already, he says, they earned a point
when they played a 2-2 draw with the Liberian National Team and sees no reason
why they will not defeat the Liberians in the return leg in Calabar.
In
the past, Nigerian footballers like Julius Aghahowa had frustrating times
playing in Russia because of severe low temperatures. Ahmed Musa said that
though the weather in Moscow is colder than in Jos where he comes from, it has
not posed any treat or frustration to his career over there. As a matter of
fact he is enjoying playing in Russia and looks forward to even better days
there.
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