Ahmed Musa: The small Eagle with some piercing claws

Brazil 2014 could have easily been the second World Cup for Ahmed Musa albeit the tender age of 21. However, an ankle injury put paid to the speedy, versatile striker’s chances of turning out for the Super Eagles in South Africa four ago. Four year later, fit and on-form Musa is expected to set the scene alight with his electrifying performances in the Green and White colours.

It was, however, in the South America that Musa first had his first World Cup experience when he featured in the U20 FIFA World Cup in Colombia in 2011. Out of five games he played, he scored three. It came as no surprise when he was award the most outstanding of the tournament honour.

Since then he has never looked back – growing in maturity as a player and making it difficult for coaches of senior national teams to ignore him.

His pace, versatility and an eye for goals make him an important member of Stephen Keshi’s plan to impress in the spiritual land of football.

Since the Colombian voyage, Musa went on to represent the Nigeria U23 and later the Super Eagles at the African Nations Cup in South Africa as well as the Confederations Cup in Brazil in 2012 – consolidating his position among the eagles every opportunity he got.

Born 14 October 1992, Musa is a product of the Aminchi Football Academy in Nigeria. He made a name for himself when he held the record for the highest goals ever scored in one season in the history of the Nigeria Premier League. This record he held until November 2011 when Jude Aneke of Kaduna United F.C. broke it and set a new goals record of 20 goals.

He has so far represented Nigeria on 37 occasions, scoring five goals.

Although he is surrounded by some good players like Victor Obinna and John Obi Mikel, in the Nigerian team, but the 21-year old has what it take to still the show.

– By Sipho Kekana