Former Nigerian international, Nduka Ugbade believes the Super Eagles winger, Ahmed Musa’s experience can’t be out of place in the senior national team as far as the African Cup of Nations is concern.
Ugbade made this known after Musa was named in the 40-man list of the Super Eagles that will prepare for 2023 AFCON.
Recall that the final 27-player squad will be announced by Coach Peseiro on January 3, 2024, just ten days before Nigeria’s opening match against Equatorial Guinea at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Ebimpe, Abidjan.
Reacting to Musa’s inclusion, Ugbade in a chat with Completesports.com stated that Musa could play the role of a sociologist and psychologist because he has seen it all and his experience will be crucial for the young players.
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“The inclusion of Ahmed Musa in the 40-man list of the Super Eagles is not out of place considering the fact that he’s a Nigerian. I have watched few of the goals he scored for his club, Sivasspor in the Turkish Süper Lig on youtube and I think he’s not doing badly at the moment.
“We can’t really rule out Musa’s experience in the senior national team knowing fully that he understand the whole atmosphere and should be able to guide the young players in the Super Eagles.
“Don’t forget that Messi despite his age led Argentina to win the World Cup and he’s still part of the team battling it out for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. His experience is what they are banking on regardless of his age. Mind you, he’s playing regularly with Inter Miami in the MLS.
“Likewise, Ronaldo who despite his age help Portugal to qualify for Euro 2024. He has been so instrumental in the team and nobody is talking about his club in Saudi Arabia because he’s playing week-in and week-out.
“Musa could play the role of a sociologist and psychologist because he has seen it all and his experience will be crucial for the young players. He’s like a team leader and will tell the players what to expect and how to handle whatever pressure that comes to them.
“Again, you should not forget that this is just a provisional list that will later be prone down to 23 or 26 players, and as you known anything can happen. He may be dropped or included in the final list that will be released.”
By Augustine Akhilomen
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