When former Super Eagles skipper Ahmed Musa failed to get a new club months after he terminated his contract with the Turkish side Sivasspor in February 2024 due to non-payment of his salaries, there were fears the 31-year-old would bring his illustrious career to an end.
However, it was surprising when he announced his return to Kano Pillars for his third stint with the team.
Musa, along with his friend Shehu Abdullahi, who had been without a club since January 2023, signed short-term contracts with Kano Pillars for the 2024/25 Nigeria Premier Football League season.
His return to Kano Pillars as captain was remarkable, as he scored two goals in his first game of the season for the team, narrowly missing a hat-trick as he failed to convert a penalty in a 2-0 victory over Sunshine Stars at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium in Katsina.
Speaking immediately after the game, the former NPFL highest goal scorer said the fans and Nigerians should expect more from him.
“Scoring two goals and earning that penalty was just the start – we’ve got a lot more coming,” Musa said after the match.
“This is only the beginning. I’m glad to be back in the NPFL and to contribute to my team’s success. Playing here feels special, and I hope to keep making our supporters proud.”
Despite failing to score in his second start for Kano Pillars in a 2-0 away loss against Akwa United in which the home team secured their first win of the season, it was however Musa all over days later in their game, also away to the defending champions, as he had a hand in all Kano Pillars goals in a seven-goal thriller against Rangers.
Pillars delivered a stunning performance in Enugu, defeating Rangers 4-3 in a thrilling midweek clash with Musa, the architect of all the goals.
Coming from their 2-0 loss to Akwa United, the visitors came out with renewed purpose and dominated the first half with two goals from another veteran, Rabiu Ali,
Zulkifilu Muhammed’s effort and Musa’s solo efforts earned Pillars the victory.
Musa had hand in all the goals, but his sensational solo effort in stoppage time of the first half, beating four Rangers defenders to score his third goal of the season,, was the highlight of the game.
Rangers, however, staged a remarkable second-half comeback but could not prevent the loss as the match ended 4-3.
No doubt, Kwara United will have their hands full this weekend when they face Pillars in one of the Match Day 8 games in Kano as red-hot Musa, is ready to increase his goals tally.
Speaking about Musa’s return recently, former international Mutiu Adepoju said Musa’s action will add glamour to the league.
Adepoju said: “Ahmed Musa is approaching retirement, and I think it’s a very good decision for him to think of returning to play in the NPFL. It is also going to bring more glamour and recognition to the NPFL. I have to commend him on what he did, scoring two goals in his first match. It is commendable.”
There have been calls for Musa’s return to the Super Eagles, as he has a lot to offer the team, especially with the Super Eagles still struggling to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Kano Pillars head coach, Usman Abdullah, believes Musa deserves a place in the Super Eagles team if current form and merit are used in the selection of players.
“Musa has been in great form. He should be one of the home-based players in the Super Eagles team,” he said.
“He is playing at home now and qualifies to be called a home-based player. Forget age; if performance and merit are used in selection, I think he deserves to be in the team.”
During a press conference before the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya played at the Godswill Akpabio stadium, Uyo, the current Super Eagles captain, Williams Troost-Ekong, said Musa remains the captain of the team.
According to Troost-Ekong, the players are happy that he is back in active football and will be glad to see him return to the team
He said: “We’re happy he’s back; he’s still our captain and he’s welcome back any time. “He’s our most capped player, a good role model, and he’s a good leader. I am happy to deputise for him.”
Musa himself recently said he has not yet retired from international football and it is left to be seen the decision of the coach of the team, Austin Eguavoen.
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