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Ahmed Musa: Saudi League is among the toughest and I’d love for more Nigerian player to join

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Ahmed Musa

BY: Nmerichukwu Igweamaka

  • Al Nassr striker insists he will go on to break more records with Super Eagles

Following a barren spell that saw them win their previous league title in 1995, Saudi giants Al Nassr secured back-to-back titles in 2014 and 2015 to establish themselves back on top of Saudi football and propel the capital club back into the AFC Champions League.

Since then, Al Nassr have been ubiquitous in competing for the different domestic titles, reaching the finals of the King’s Cup, Crown Prince’s Cup and Saudi Super Cup, but it wasn’t until the 2018-19 season that the club, known among its supporters as The Global, embarked on another title-winning campaign.

Helping the club to their impressive 2019 Saudi Professional League (SPL) title was the acquisition of Ahmed Musa who joined on a four-year deal from Premier League side Leicester City in 2018.

The Nigeria international signed for the Riyadh-based club on the back of a strong show at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, where he found the net twice against Iceland to become the first Nigerian international to score in two different FIFA World Cups.

While some have questioned the move, Musa says the switch was far from a walk in the park. “SPL is one of the hardest leagues. The people may look at it as very easy, but I don’t think so.”

“Many people think the league is easy, but when you play here you know it’s not that easy,” the 27-year-old said.

It was exciting for Musa to see the captivating football scene in Saudi Arabia upon his arrival in the kingdom, but he insisted the football-mad fans are like no other and are happy with nothing less than a win. “The fans here are crazy about football, they’re not the same as Europeans.”

“When I first came here, it was difficult for me because of how much fans love football – they don’t want to lose! Over here, fans are always crazy when you lose a game,” Musa added.

However, no matter what happens on the pitch, Musa says fans are always happy to see him. “One of the best moments here is whenever I go out [and] everyone wants to take a picture with you. I give the Saudi fans credit for this.”

The forward was in fine form last season, scoring seven times and registering the same number of assists as Al Nassr cruised to the title. Despite the team’s shaky start to the current campaign, they managed to return to winning ways and get their title-defence back on track, beating their arch-rivals Al Hilal in the process.

“We started the league very well, but we faced many injuries during the second and third games of the season, so the team was fighting, but the [2-1 derby win over Al Hilal] will boost the morale of all players to keep on fighting till the end like the way we did last year,” Musa said.

Ahmed Musa receiving award

The Nigerian footballer has embraced life in Saudi Arabia and said it wasn’t difficult for him to adapt thanks to the big Nigerian presence in the kingdom.

“Back in my country [Nigeria], everyone always comes to Saudi, so I know the lifestyle here. So, nobody asks me how I cope or what I do in Saudi because most Nigerians are always here.”

Musa’s move to SPL didn’t affect his place in the national team, a testament to the strength and competitiveness of the Saudi championship, which has seen five different winners since 2012. He continues to turn up for the Super Eagles and is confident of continuing to add to his 91 caps and 15 international strikes.

“Since I started my career with the national team, I’ve always broken records. No player has ever scored two goals at a World Cup for Nigeria. I am now the highest scorer at the history of the World Cup for Nigeria,” Musa said ahead of linking up with international teammates for two African Cup of Nations qualifiers against Benin and Lesotho.

“I think with the years I have remaining with the national team I will reach more [records] than my former teammates,” Al Nassr player added.

Besides Musa, SPL is home to other Nigerian players, with more playing in the second division. Left back Imran Ilyas Bakur represented Damac and Najran before settling now with Al Shabab, while Reuben Gabriel plays as defensive midfielder for Abha, and Musa could not be happier to have more compatriots in the league. “We now have some four Nigerian players playing in the Saudi Professional League. I would love for more Nigerian players] to come and play here.”

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MTN Nigeria Awards 150 million Naira to Super Falcons after Historic WAFCON 2024 Win

Reporter: Sandra Ani

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MTN Nigeria Awards The Super Falcons 150 Million Naira Following WAFCON Win
L-R: Dr. Muhammed Sanusi, General Secretary, Nigeria Football Federation; Dr Karl Toriola, CEO, MTN Nigeria; Rashidat Ajibade, Captain, Super Falcons; Ifueko Okauru, Director, MTN Nigeria; Chiamaka Nnadozie, Goalkeeper, Super Falcons and Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, President, Nigerian Football Federation at an MTN Super Falcons Breakfast Reception held at Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos on Thursday, July 31, 2025.

MTN Nigeria has rewarded the Nigerian Super Falcons with 150 million naira following their remarkable victory at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON). 

The announcement was made at a celebratory breakfast reception hosted by the technology company in Lagos, in the presence of Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) leadership and female executives across key sectors, alongside a host of MTN executives who came out to celebrate the champions and reaffirm the company’s commitment to football, inclusion and youth empowerment.

The Super Falcons’ win goes down as one of the most thrilling in tournament history. Facing Morocco on their home soil, Nigeria came back from 2-0 down to secure a dramatic 3-2 victory, clinching their 10th WAFCON title and reinforcing their status as Africa’s most decorated women’s team. 

Delivering the opening remarks, MTN’s Chief Marketing Officer, Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, highlighted the Super Falcons’ win as an inspiration for Nigerian women. “The Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) is a championship that has been held 13 times and Nigeria has won 10 times. This is no small feat. It is a testament  to how determined  Nigerian women can be when they set out to achieve something. What you have achieved not only makes Nigeria proud, but it makes us, even we women, proud. Here at MTN, we believe, and one of our values is ‘Can Do’, can do with integrity. Your final match  exemplifies that.”

As the official telecommunications partner of the NFF, MTN presented the 150 million naira reward to celebrate the team’s resilience and achievement. MTN director, Ifueko Okauru explained that 115 million naira would go to the players and 35 million to the technical team. 

“At MTN we believe in the power of connection, not just through technology, but through our soul, through our spirits, what we share and what unifies us,” said Dr. Karl Toriola, CEO, MTN Nigeria.

Toriola described the company’s investment in the NFF as fruitful. “As proud sponsors of the Nigerian Football Federation, this long-term significantly financially-heavy investment in supporting the NFF has borne so many fruits. We followed you through every match, every challenge, every trial  and some of them losses. We followed you and we continue to support you and today we are so proud to say our efforts have not been in vain. We followed you for the big things, we followed you for the smaller things.

He added, “To the Super Falcons, you are more than athletes, you are inspirations. You are an inspiration for everyone in Nigeria, every young lady to go out there and make a difference. You are role models, you are ambassadors, and you are proof that when Nigerian women rise, the world will take notice.”

Captain of the Super Falcons, Rashidat Ajibade, thanked MTN and its board members for their warm reception and support. “We appreciate you a lot. We feel valued, we feel honoured, we feel respected, and this only inspires us to do better, and keep inspiring the next generation.”

“This win is for all of us,” she said, dedicating the 10th title not just to the current Super Falcons squad but to all the players who came before. While grateful for the milestone, she made it clear they were not content. “We want to take this to the next level. We want to be global contenders. We don’t want to be just local champions. It’s time to take it to the next level. We understand the huge responsibility on us,  and we hope that we can all work together, the Federation, the federal government, and also private bodies to keep investing and keep supporting  the Super Falcons Council so we can all  achieve this objective.”

The breakfast reception featured a classical string quartet, stirring soul-Afrobeats choir rendition that had the Falcons on their feet, dancing joyfully in celebration of their hard-won victory. Singer Praiz also delivered a performance that drew cheers from the audience and added to the festive energy in the room.

As the nation continues to celebrate their victory, this moment stands as both a reward and a reminder of what Nigerian women can achieve when backed by belief, investment and opportunity. The celebration was especially timely as it fell on Pan African Women’s Day, a fitting moment to honour the strength, resilience and achievements of Nigerian women on and off the pitch.

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Nwosu hails Super Falcons: You’ve shown the Nigeria spirit

By Our Correspondent

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Super Falcons are 10th time WAFCON Champions
Super Falcons are 10th time WAFCON Champions

John C. Nwosu, governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has hailed the Super Falcons for lifting the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Women’s African Cup of Nations (WACON) held in Morocco for the 10th time, after a dramatic outing in Rabat, capital of the North African nation.

The Nigerian female team came from behind after a 2:0 lead they were handed down by the Atlas Lionesses at half time to turn the tide in a dramatic fashion, marked by energy, resilience, determination and skill, slotting in three goals in less than 30 minutes.

A totally enthralled Nwosu declared that feat clearly showed how with determination and focus, the most difficult tasks could be achieved and toughest challenges could be surmounted, adding that the feat embodied a lot of life’s lessons.

“What we saw today is the can-do spirit of that Nigerians are known for. It is a spirit that has broken many barriers and achieved great things. I particularly noticed the teamwork and synergy among the girls and their determination not to give up. It shows the reward of unity of purpose.

“As I watched our girls lift this beautiful trophy up, my spirit was also lifted. I am sure I am not alone. This spectacular achievement today shows how much we can achieve in Nigeria when we de-emphasise those things that divide the nation and emphasise the things that unite us.

“This is the focus of the ADC. We take it as a task to unite Nigeria by promoting unity, equity, justice and fair play in all facets of the society, knowing that together, working individually and collectively, we wake the sleeping giant.

“It is particularly so as we make deliberate moves to recreate a new Anambra where the government and the people will form an environment of common vision and move in the same direction, achieve a common goal. That vision has gained a strong fillip by this wonderful feat in Morocco.”

Well done girls. Once again, you have put smiles on millions of Nigerians, both home and abroad. May this joy continue to resonate everywhere in the life of our dear nation, now and in future.

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Gov Mbah Congratulates Super Falcons on Historic 10th WAFCON Title

Report by Ikenna Oluka

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WAFCON
Super Falcon players after winning 10th WAFCON

Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has congratulated the Super Falcons of Nigeria on their 10th Women African Cup of Nations, WAFCON, title, saying that they demonstrated the resilience of the Nigerian spirit.

The Super Falcons, who fell behind by two goals in the first half, staged a memorable comeback in Rabat in the second half, beating their Moroccan counterparts before their huge crowd of home fans to lift the WAFCON 2025 trophy courtesy of goals delivered by Esther Okoronkwo, Folashade Ijamilusi, and Jennifer Echegini.

Mbah, who took to his verified social media handle, @PNMbah, to celebrate the impressive Nigerian side wrote, “Congratulations, Super Falcons, on your well-deserved WAFCON 2025 triumph.

“Coming from two goals down to beat the Moroccans to the trophy underscores the resilience and invincibility of the Nigerian spirit and what we can achieve as a people by working together in oneness of mind.

“We are super proud of you.

“Again, congratulations, girls, and keep flying higher.”

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