Super Eagles winger, Ahmed Musa has expressed satisfaction with the performance of the team despite losing 2-1 to Ivory Coast in the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday.
Recall that William Troost-Ekong had given Nigeria the lead before Franck Kessie leveled parity and Sebastien Haller scoring the winning goal.
Reacting via his official X handle, Musa stated that he’s filled with immense pride for the Nigerian Super Eagles.
“Reflecting on our journey in the AFCON tournament, I’m filled with immense pride for the Nigerian Super Eagles. Though we may have fallen short of the championship, our unity on the field transcended religious and tribal differences, reminding us of the power of football to bring us together. Despite the twists and turns of the game, our team stood strong, displaying resilience and determination that resonated with fans across the nation.
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“To all our incredible supporters, your unwavering dedication and chants lifted us higher than ever before. Your passion for the game and for our country is truly inspiring. In a time where economic challenges weigh heavily on our shoulders, let us carry the same spirit of unity beyond the football pitch and into every aspect of our lives.
“As we face the hurdles ahead, let’s remember that together, we are stronger. Let’s channel the same energy and comradeship we experienced during the tournament into tackling the obstacles that lie ahead. Let’s embrace our diversity as a strength and stand united as one nation, one team, one family.
“Thank you, Nigeria, for your undying support. Let’s continue to strive for greatness, both on and off the field. #NigeriaSuperEagles #AFCON2023 #UnityInDiversity #StrongerTogether #Gratitude #NaijaPride “
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COMMENTS
Musa hope this is your valedictory speech
Step aside and give the younger ones chance to prove themselves.
How can you go to a whole tournament without kicking a ball? That space would have been taken by a young midfielder to support the team . The midfield through out the tournament struggled.
Pls retire honorably don’t wait to be told to do so.
Nigerians will not forget your past you tried, ask yourself where is Kanu, where is Okocha, where is Michael? Every beginning must have an end.
Thanks for taking a difficult decision to bid good bye to super eagles. God bless you!!!!
Musa wey wan go world cup, dey play! We would only see the promised land when we begin to do things based on merit. Aluta Continua!
Areas of Improvement Assessment Only
I am proud of all of the players particularly Nwabili, Ekong, Bassey, Frank, Simon, Lookman, Chukwueze, Osimhen, Aina and Onuachu in this recently concluded tournament.
But, as a unit, they lacked sufficient elements to see them across the finish line to gold.
Some areas to work on per player include the following:
– Osimhen needs to be more clinical in the formation used.
– Aina needs improvements in 1v1s. He was tormented in the last match.
– Ajayi needs to commit less errors. He will still struggle in a back two centre back set up.
– Nwabili needs to learn how to palm or parry to the side rather than the front. He did concede 2 goals when the defence struggled to afford him adequate protection.
– Iwobi needs to reinvent his midfield play. His shots are weak, his passes just too simple and his movements restrictive. Perhaps the formation was not best suited for his skills.
– Onyeka needs to know how to unleash credible shots; his shots in the tournament were embarrassing. His tacklings need to be neater.
– Simon needs consistency. He exploded in certain games but struggles in others.
– Chukwueze needs all round maturity. He has sadly regressed and plays Under-20 football at times.
– Zaidu needs quality deliveries and better markings and clarity in defensive vision and anticipation with more aerial proficiency. These shortcomings did put Nigeria on the back foot at times.
– Iheanacho should support defense. Had he assisted Aina better, history could have been different yesterday.
– Uzoho needs to rediscover his 2019 Nigeria vs Brazil and Ukraine form. Yes, credible alternatives are required going forward.
– Okoye needs to leverage his Seria form and experience. The calibre of league he plays makes him on paper currently Super Eagles most high profile goalkeeper. Hopefully he can replicate his club performances in national team football.
– Yusuf needs to be resourceful and flexible. The offensive formation in the first half game brought out the beast in him. But he and Iwobi struggle to balance the dual offensive and defensive roles in a 3-4-3. Perhaps Peseiro was asking too much of them.
– Omeruo needs to retire. Thanks for your service.
– Musa needs to step aside. We remain grateful to all the won memories.
And Peseiro should seek ways that Super Eagles can be offensive, open vibrant and solid defensively.
The Super Eagles did very well however areas for improvement exist. We need to address these in time for World Cup qualifiers.
– Our wingbacks and wingers need better communication.
– Our midfield is yearning for quality long passes.
– We need a centre forward who can balance the pressings of Osimhen with the finishing of Ighalo.
– Our centre backs need to be very comfortable with an arrangement of 2 centre backs.
All in all, the Super Eagles have a fantastic platform to build from as the ‘disciple, focus, concentration and resolve’ that took them to the final serve as solid foundation.
Well done again to the boys. Despite certain shortcomings, you still proved to be a solid and credible outfit.
It was a fabulous experience laced with wonderful memories.
@Deo, I disagree with you on this. Blame the coach and some of our players.
Aina shouldn’t have played the final match he was very tired. Ola is a complete defender, but the only mistake of him is that he should have told the coach if he could play in the second half of the match.
Zaidu should not return to Super Eagles. He’s not good enough to play in the Super Eagles. Bruno is better.
Uzoho has so many opportunities but wasted all of them. So, he should give way to new goalies.
Musa should step aside because he has done his best for us.
I can’t go as much as I wanted to because I’m busy, I would have expanciate my thoughts.
However, coach Paseiro has done well also, but he should step down. We need a team that can defend and attack as a unit, not like the one we witnessed in Ivory Coast.
Not that Ivory Coast was the better side, but the coach of the Ivory Coast took advantage of our coach and the tiredness of our team to win the Afcon trophy.
Bruno would have come in for Zaidu while Osiayi, I don’t know if I got the spelling right, would have come in for Ola Aina. That should the deficiencies of coach Paseiro and his crew. They were not good enough in yesterday match.
Lastly, we need our own to be in charge of the Super Eagles. NFF should give Amunike, Marnu Gerba, and Egbo three years to build us a team of our choice. Enough of these average foreign coaches that are turning our national team to a training center.
The coach was the reason why Eagles failed to lift the trophy yesterday. He overused our players and failed to use the reserves bench to strengthen his team. All in all, I’m proud of our boys and the coach. We have no time to waste time. Let’s give our own another chance to take us to the promised land. We want to enjoy total football and win so many trophies. Ire o. God bless Nigeria!!!
Omo9ja, who can satisfy you?
Rohr – not good.
Eguavoen – not good
Peseiro – not good
Ladan Bosso – not good.
Rohr played consecutive football towards the end that we complained about.
Eguavoen played or tried to play open and expansive football which failed.
After Peseiro failed with expansive football, he went ultra conservative and now we complain.
What approach brings out the best in our players – attacking, defensive, conservative or ultra defensive?
For me, I said it that Peseiro should just have stayed with his all out attack and see how far it got him. Not 4-2-4 but 4-3-3 which held so much promise against Guinea Bissau but only need minor tweaks. He panicked and went full park-the-bus (which worked until (like Eguavoen v Tunisia) it was found out by South Africa and Ivory Coast).
All our coaches should make provision for when their winning strategy is decoded.
All in all, Peseiro and the boys did well. Even in their ultra defensive formation, poor marking and interceptions ultimately let them down against Ivory Coast. Had they kept it more tight, they could have gotten away with protecting Ekong’s goal.
** Equatorial Guinea **
Musa ur inclusion was one of the main reason we lost the final, ur inclusion denied someone like Mathew, Tella to compete with Ivorian in the midfield. Go and enjoy ur wives worthless bunch of fools
Do you know that Musa is now a goalkeeper? Not an ordinary keeper, mind you. One who has the power to make new laws, especially as it concerns the game in Nigeria. He can move and plant the goal post in the centre of the pitch, and convert himself to a player/non-player coach/technical adviser, siddon look, and do other things.
The above decisions are gradually wiping off the memories of his sterling contributions to the national team. But does he care? Fast becoming a nuisance, he is not bold enough to leave the stage. Like African sit-tight dictators, he only listens to the counsel he likes.
Why is Musa afraid to take the only step that would preserve his memories amongst the Nigerian fans: step aside? I wonder.