Fans tackle Musa: Quit national team now
Some fans have queried Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa’s invitation for Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sierra Leone, asking for his retirement from the national team, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Musa was one of the 23 players invited by Jose Peseiro for the match-day five of the AFCON qualifier scheduled for the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Stadium in Liberia June 18.
Since the commencement of the 2023 AFCON qualifiers, the captain has managed a combined 36 minutes in four games.
In the hard-fought 2-1 win over the Leone Stars at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja last September, the 30-year-old was an unused substitute, while he featured for 32 minutes in the Eagles’ 10-0 rout of São Tomé and Príncipe.
In the first leg of the doubleheader against Guinea-Bissau, he was in action for just three minutes as Nigeria lost 1-0 at home and his last appearance was a minute cameo against the Djurtus away from home.
He was not invited for the three international friendlies in between the four AFCON qualifiers.
His low turnout for the Eagles in recent times has sparked a reaction from the fans, who frowned at the continuous invitation of the former Kano Pillars captain to the national team.
On Saturday, the Sivasspor forward tweeted, “Like me or hate me, a day will come that you will tell your kids a story about Ahmed Musa MON.”
Following his tweet, many of the country’s football faithful called for his retirement from the national team.
Ifasi Ifeanyi advised the Eagles captain not to emulate Nigerian politicians.
“Don’t be like Nigerian politicians, set an example. it’s time to give the young ones opportunities, Nwankwo Kanu and Austin Okocha, the two GOATs, bowed out when it was time. That being said, you are a legend.”
Mazi Michael added, “Is it bad to retire for young ones to get a nod? Where have you been playing for eight months now? Is that how they behave abroad?”
Tunde Francis wrote, “We love you but stop dragging the Super Eagles back, do the honorable thing and retire for the sake of younger and better players who merit it more than you presently do, you have done your part and your name will never be forgotten in our history, it’s time to call it a day.”
Chisco believes Musa has nothing to prove anymore and should thus leave the team. Punch
