Nigeria captain, Ahmed Musa, has officially rejoined Kano Pillars for the remainder of the 2020/21 Nigeria Professional Football League season.
Musa joins 11 years after he first featured for his boyhood club. The 28-year-old has been a free agent since leaving Saudi side Al Nassr in October 2020 and embarks on a temporary contract to keep his fitness levels up.
Musa sensationally returns to Kano Pillars where his 18 goals in 2009/10 set a record for the most goals scored in a single season in the history of the Nigerian League at the time.
Those prolific showings as an 18-year-old earned Musa a transfer to Europe with VVV Venlo in the Netherlands. Before two spells at CSKA Moscow sandwiching a 2016 transfer to Leicester City, for a club-record £16.6 million at that time.
Winning 96 caps, Nigeria’s World Cup record goalscorer with four memorable goals against Argentina and Iceland over the 2014 and 2018 tournaments. Musa is the first Super Eagle to score more than once in a FIFA World Cup match, and also the first to score in two FIFA World Cup competitions.
After a move to the Premier League with Sam Allardyce’s West Brom in January broke down due to finances. Musa’s only minutes of competitive action in six months came in the closing stages of Nigeria’s 3-0 AFCON qualifying win over Lesotho last month, and a temporary move to familiar surroundings is a commendable, if not inspired move.
Home-coming of a Nigerian Legend
No doubt one of the biggest acquisitions in the NPFL in recent years, Musa’s presence in Kano will be felt beyond the bowels of the Sani Abacha Stadium.
A player of Musa’s standing in the world would hopefully do wonders for the Nigerian League, with merchandise sales and media attention set to increase.
Nigeria’s third most-capped player could also be a game-changer for Sai Masu Gida due to his undeniable bags of quality.
Ahmed Musa has rejoined his boyhood club, Kano Pillars.
— Africa Facts Zone (@AfricaFactsZone) April 14, 2021
He scored 18 league goals for them, a previous record in the Nigerian league at age 18 in 2009/2010.
He was the Top Scorer at the 2009/2010 Nigerian league & 2012-2013 Russian Cup. He was in the 2014 CAF Team of the Year. pic.twitter.com/B0IDrA4sxN
The four-time league champions currently lead the log alongside Kwara United with 36 points and have now received a huge boost in the pacy and experienced attacker.
Having lifted four league titles and eight trophies since leaving the shores of Nigeria, the humility and hunger to keep going will increase the profile of the domestic league.
Nevertheless, the opportunity to improve his fitness levels whilst simultaneously improving the standard of the competition and remaining in the shop window for a transfer abroad suits all parties.
“Anything that improves the image of Nigerian football is something that I strive to embark on and Kano Pillars holds a special place in my heart,” the former Leicester City player told BBC Sport Africa before the deal was confirmed.
“It’s the team that helped me become the professional footballer I am today, so this is more than just football but a very strong bond.”
Indeed, having also built two training and fitness facilities in Northern Nigeria to help grassroots football. Musa is keeping true to his words.
Sharing his ‘peak’ years as a footballer trying to give back to his early beginnings, although rare, is a huge coup for Nigerian football. Ahmed Musa has transcended his role as the national team captain, and soon we would be thankful for it.
