Ahmed Musa: The making of Nigeria’s first cult hero

For many Nigerians north of the River Niger, Ahmed Musa is a bona fide star, a hero – yana matsayin gamzo, as a fan told this writer.

The fans adore him, chant his name during matches involving the Super Eagles and even mob him after matches.

After Thursday evening’s warm up against amateur side Abuja Football College at the National Stadium, players of the team rushed at the striker to take selfies.

When the national team’s security officials tried to prise him away from their hold, Musa told them to be gentle. Mutanen mu ne, they’re my people, he told the policemen who watched on as the footballers-turned-fans finished their photo op.

In June during the Super Eagles’ Africa Cup of Nations qualifying game against Chad in Kaduna, fans chanted his name all through the game. At intervals, the striker stopped to wave in acknowledgement.

At some stage in the celebration of Gbolahan Salami’s opening goal, a fan ran onto the pitch in ecstasy. He did not head for the goal scorer, instead it was Musa that caught the attention of the individual and the striker was embraced with joy.

Such is the adulation that the former Kano Pillars man enjoys up north, like no other Nigerian footballer.

In the other half of the country it is not so.

Many Southerners are not sure where to place Musa. He’s not as adored and is usually looked at as another player that got into the national team on the basis of the much disliked Federal Character.

It is assumed that Musa’s reign in the squad is because of the spirit of Federal Character that seeks to give every part of the country representation in national matters.

Yet it is based on his talent that the 22-year-old, who will captain the Super Eagles against Tanzania, has been able to reach and stay consistent in the national team like Tijani Babangida and Garba Lawal before him.

Musa burst into national limelight in 2010 when he erased the 20-year-old scoring record in the Nigerian league with his 18 goals for Kano Pillars.

After being invited to the Super Eagles for his senior debut by former coach Samson Siasia, the lad has not looked back and he has been a consistent performer in the green and white where he formed part of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations-winning squad under Stephen Keshi.

With new coach Sunday Oliseh in charge, the influence of the lad is expected to grow, not just on the pitch but in the dressing room with the absence of veteran goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama.

The talent of the Jos-born forward has never been in doubt as he has maintained consistency in Europe, moving from lowly VVV Venlo to Russian giants CSKA.

This season he has scored five goals, including three in Uefa Champions League qualifying to lead his side into the lucrative group stages where they will face PSV, Manchester United and Wolfsburg.

His speed has long been an asset and he used that dangerously against Argentina at the World Cup in 2014 where he notched two goals as the Eagles fell to a 3-2 defeat.

The world has been treated to his inventiveness and would see more of him. Yet, he is not fully embraced as he has been overshadowed in the past by the glamorous Chelsea duo of John Obi Mikel and Victor Moses.

Despite being the longest-serving player in the squad at the moment and never having turned down an invitation to play for Nigeria as well as having no major scandal except the act of dying his hair blonde in 2013, Musa’s influence on the pitch is still not cast in stone.

With Ogenyi Onazi in the side during June’s game against Chad, Musa struggled for and later conceded leadership to the now-suspended midfielder during their warm up ahead of the game.

However, while Onazi can walk to the newspaper stand in his home town of Makurdi without getting recognized, Musa can hardly walk the streets of Jos without being mobbed.

In Wednesday’s press conference, Musa said he would do his best to ensure that the Eagles bring home the three points.

He made the difference in Kenya in 2013 when he scored the Eagles’ solo goal in Nairobi; can he be the difference in Dar es Salaam?

His ability has never been in doubt, rather it is his consistency.

With the added responsibility of team captain, would Musa bloom and win over a doubtful audience to his side?

Musa has held the northern fans spell bound, perhaps it is time he begins to earn the respect and adoration of his other countrymen.

The battle of Dar es Salaam will unravel him. 

Lolade Adewuyi