By David Faith Boluwatife (IT Student, Ifotech)
Goalkeeper Dele Aiyenugba of Kwara United has expressed that Nigeria’s chances of securing a fourth African Cup of Nations championship in Ivory Coast hinge, in part, on the leadership of veteran player Ahmed Musa, as he shared with PUNCH Sports Extra in anticipation of the team selection for the upcoming competition.
Aiyenugba, a two-time bronze medalist at AFCON in 2006 and 2010, stressed the inspirational role Musa, part of the 2013 championship-winning squad, can play a decade later to guide the team to another victory.
Despite Musa’s absence from the national team’s recent games since September, Aiyenugba advocates for Musa’s continued involvement, citing his experience and leadership qualities as vital assets for a successful campaign.
This is the AFCON, and you need to have the correct mindset, Aiyenugba explained. “A team leader can provide a great deal both on and off the field, especially when you have a mixture of home-based and foreign-based players.
With the 2023 AFCON scheduled from January 13 to February 11, Aiyenugba highlights the significance of Musa’s leadership in uniting the team, underscoring the challenges posed by a diverse squad.
Musa’s recent goal for Sivasspor in the Turkish Cup victory over Arnavutkoy marked his return to scoring form after missing the last five national team games, fueling speculation about his future with the squad.
Nonetheless, Musa, with 108 appearances, remains the player with the most caps for the Super Eagles, and Aiyenugba believes his inclusion is essential for the team’s success.
