AFCON 2023: Aiyenugba makes case for Musa, insist leadership matters
As the Super Eagles and other contending teams shape up ahead the next Nations Cup to be hosted by Cote d Ivoire next year, former Eagles goalie Dele Aiyenugba has made a case for Ahmed Musa, insisting that the former Leicester City star should be included in the AFCON party.
Aiyenugba who won two AFCON bronze medals, in 2006 and 2010, argued that the Super Eagles will need the experience of Musa at the 2023 AFCON which will commence in Ivory Coast on January 13.
Musa who is currently 31 years old has not played for the Super Eagles since September even though he is still seen as the team’s captain.
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So far, the former Kano Pillars forward has missed the Super Eagles’ last five games due to fitness issues and lack of form.
AFCON contenders and their group stage opponents.
But last weekend, Musa proved that he is not done with football by scoring a goal in his Turkish club Sivasspor’s 2-1 win over Arnavutkoy in the Turkish Cup. That was the forward’s first goal since February 2022.
Despite such inconsistency, Dele Aiyenugba, 40, who is currently contracted to Kwara United, insisted that the Super Eagles need the services of the record 108-capped Musa.
“When I joined the national team, our legend Nwankwo Kanu was not playing. He was usually subbed on but was always there as the captain. We still need Ahmed Musa on the team. It doesn’t matter if he holds a starting position or not. A leader in the team has much to offer on and off the pitch,” Aiyenugba told the Punch.
“This is the AFCON, and you need the right mentality. So, when you have players like Musa who even started from Nigeria, he will be able to understand everyone’s differences and carry the entire team especially when you are having a blend of home-based and foreign-based players.”
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Aiyenugba who blended perfectly with Vincen Enyeama while both showcase their skills with Enyimba, was at one time penalty speciallist stepping in when matche head into rubber leading to penalty shoot outs. Enyimba it will be recalled won the CAF Champions League back to back in 2003 and 2004, a feat which has been difficult to replicate by Nigerian clubs competiting in the continental show piece.