Former Nigerian international, Nduka Ugbade has reiterated that Ahmed Musa’s experience will come handy for the Super Eagles at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Recall that Musa was included in the final 25-man list that was released by Super Eagles coach, Jose Peseiro last week Friday.
Nigeria is grouped alongside host Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea and Guinea-Bissau in Group A.
Read Also: AFCON 2023: Equatorial Guinea Name Nigerian Defender, LaLiga, Serie A Stars In Final Squad
However, in a chat with Completesports.com, Ugbade noted that Musa’s experience may have played a key role for his inclusion.
“Musa is a player that understand the Africa Cup of Nations having played in the tournament several times.
“You deny the fact that sometimes you need a bit of experience in a team that will guide the younger players and that I feel played a role for his inclusion.
“Musa may not be playing 90 minutes for the Super at the tournament but his experience may come handy when the chips are down.”
The Super Eagles will commence their campaign against Equatorial Guinea on January 14.
By Augustine Akhilomen
17 Comments
Musa should not be making statements to the media that foreign-born players lack commitment to Nigeria. That is silly and divisive, and should not come from a captain.
This is my problem with some of our ex-internationals, Musa has no place in that team. The coach has simply made a very bad call by Musa’s inclusion in that team.
Abject Stupidity on the part of Ugbade. What dumb experience is he talking about? The guy is not even fit to play, let alone be on the team.
I mean, what is with Nigerians and foolish emotions? This guy has absolutely no business being on this team.
Just like IGHALO own..we need 2-3 of them in the team. I mean if Cameroon can still invite Vincent Abubakar why not Nigeria
Musa is a legend. He is needed badly in the Super Eagles as well as Ighalo.
God bless you
It begs the question, where was Musa’s experience when we crashed out in 2nd round at the last afcon? Just asking for a friend.
Hi Golden Child,
Before asking about Musa, can we ask why the players on the pitch conceded the damaging goal?
Statistically, Ahmed Musa’s presence represents 4% of the entire squad. It baffles the mind why we focus on such a minuscule quantity.
Musa is just a bit-part player in the squad. So much oxygen should not be expended on such a variable in my humble opinion.
Musa can still run, lay passes, track opponents and contribute to goal scoring efforts.
Let’s focus on other aspects of the Super Eagles preparations and just lay this miniscule Musa matter in the mausoleum.
@deo, I am not hung up on Musa’s inclusion in team. I have resigned to the reality that he will skipper the team at this year afcon. My issue is with these mischievous ex players with their beer parlour analysis and the inflated importance of Musa in the SE team. If he was so important we should have at least gotten to the semi finals.
Golden Child,
We did get to the quarter-finals where we just narrowly lost to Algeria.
Actually, if you read what Nduka Ugbade said critically, he was quite cautious.
He made statements like “a bit of experience”,,”may come handy”.
And I concur, just that ‘bit’ of experience ‘may’ prove helpful.
I don’t think Ugbade’s statement could be construed as ‘inflated’ in any way.
** Semi-final **
It was Tunisia and it was the 2nd round.
My apologies Golden Child,
I was referring to the 2019 Afcon where Musa played a more prominent role. For, 2021 AFCON, it is inappropriate to attribute success or failure to a bit part player in my humble opinion.
God bless you @deo, exactly why this experience thing should be down played. Someone rarely plays and these ex SE players keep going on about experience. That afcon you mentioned where we crashed out in the semis , mikel was the captain of the team.
Unfortunately, the Nigerian factor will always play out. NFF technical committee has a great influence on this team. Think about it, Musa has not featured for us in
recent times and his name pops up from nowhere. Musa
is an indication of what is wrong with us a nation. When
Mikel saw that he was being
benched in the national
team by iwobi, he simply
stepped aside. This is not
the case with Musa and it is
not healthy where one
player can hold the team to
ransome.
At the end, corruption will always have its say. Musa must have taken care of the people in the glass house.Those waiting for him to be dropped from team might have to wait a little longer.Musa for 2026 WC, you heard it here 1st.
Nduka Ugbade is insane! Nobody stops Musa from working to earn a coaching certificate someday. But to take the place of young and gifted players under the guise of potential to exert influence from the bench is wrong.
At first, I’m giving thanks to almighty God, making me I omo9ja and my colleagues here to witness the last day of the year 2023.
My appreciation also goes to CSN. Many thanks to you all.
This is what I usually do every last day of the year, and this year is not different. Glory be to God.
However, as we are heading to another year, may God answer all our prayers. I love you all, my people, on this forum.
Please let’s avoid bad behaviors and respect each other opinions because we are different in thoughts and the paspective you see things I may not see it that way but that doesn’t mean we don’t mean well for our darling Super Eagles or Nigeria.
We all have one goal, which is a betterment of our fatherland we call boldly call home.
Last but not least, we have Moses Simon in the team and if we have to be honest with ourselves, he should be the captain of the Super Eagles while the service of Musa is not needed in the team.
Musa has announced his retirement at the last Afcon, but why now NFF and coach Paseiro are putting Musa on us at all costs is what I do not comprehend.
We still have two slots available, and I am begging the Nigeria Football Federation to call the attention of the gaffer to this.
Oga Paseiro should please listen to our advice. Call “Dessers and Nwakali.”
These two players will be his secret weapons in Ivory Coast if the gaffer knows.
CAF allows 27 man list not 25. The coach should please listen attentively before it is too late.
Lastly, Musa should have followed Mikel Obi footsteps. Obi quit when he believes he has done enough for Nigeria.
Compliments of the season, my dear people. God bless us all. Ire o. God bless Nigeria!!!
Peseiro has still not given any reasons for picking Musa. Or what role he has fashioned out for him It shows Peseiro has no concept fir AFCON. Disaster in the wsiting!