I will give my hundred percent against Lone Star – Ahmed Musa
Ahmed you are home once again in readiness for the all important match against the Lone Star of Liberia. How is the feeling? It’s great. I am feeling good and I am seriously looking forward to the match against Liberia. What should Nigerians expect from you and the Super Eagles? What Nigerians should expect from […]
Ahmed you are home once again in readiness for the all important match against the Lone Star of Liberia. How is the feeling?
It’s great. I am feeling good and I am seriously looking forward to the match against Liberia.
What should Nigerians expect from you and the Super Eagles?
What Nigerians should expect from us is winning and we are going to give them what they want. You can see that the spirit in camp is really high and. We are all working hard. I know that the game is not going to be easy for us but it is going to be tough. Personally, I am going to give my hundred percent.
But it is now common knowledge that most Eagles are not comfortable playing on artificial turf. Would you have had any problem if the match were to be played on artificial turf?
No, I even prefer to play on artificial turf because the grass in most African countries is not good. I think in Africa, artificial turf is better. Like in Russia, most of the matches are played on artificial pitches. For me it is not a problem.
But you said you are going to give your hundred percent. Does this include scoring goals?
Yes, by the grace of God. At the moment, I am in top form for my club and I believe I can extend the same form to the national team. I have been scoring goals and I hope to score on Saturday. Last Sunday, I scored for my club.
Keshi is giving opportunities for home based players to compete for shirt in the Eagles. As a player who started on the local scene how do you feel about this?
I am happy with everything Keshi is doing. They way he talks to us. H encourages us so much and we are really having a very cordial working relationship. Giving opportunities to home based players was something we never had. I am very happy that the coach is encouraging the local players to believe in themselves. There are being given the confidence that even as home based players they too can be in the national team. The truth is that in Nigeria, there are so many good players. What the local players need is such opportunities.
In recent times foreign based Eagles have been criticized for not doing enough for the national team. What is your take on such criticisms?
For me it is not a problem even if the foreign based players are criticized. I think we are all doing our best to impress our fans. You know every Nigerian believes that the Super Eagles are always favoured to win. Nigerians expect too much and that is why when we don’t play good, they react. They are the fans and we are the players. As players we want to win and our fans also need more. They have to demand because they don’t know anything about. What they know is winning. But football is like one day you play well and you win but another day you play badly and you lose but Nigerians do not know this. They want to win at all times. We are giving our own best to meet with the expectations of Nigerians.
You played for Kano Pillars beforing moving abroad. Do you still keep in touch with the club?
At the moment, I am playing in CSKA Moscow but half of my life is with Pillars. Even now I call frequently to know what is happening to the club. I try to know their problems. Now they are on top of the league and I am hoping that on Friday, they will beat Sunshine to top the league. Pillars is one of my best clubs in Nigeria.
Musa how are you enjoying life as a married man?
(Laughs) I feel very happy being married. It is one of the best things for me right now. My wife inspires me. Anytime I see her beside me, I feel very happy and relaxed.