“He has done well” – Ex-Leicester City star backed to make Super Eagles return after missing AFCON qualifiers

Former Nigeria international and 1996 Olympic gold medallist, Garba Lawal, has backed Ahmed Musa for a return to the Super Eagles, following the forward’s impressive performances in the Nigeria Premier Football League, Soccernet.ng reports.

Musa, who played a limited role in Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign earlier this year, has not been invited to the national team since February, missing both the June World Cup qualifiers and all six of Nigeria’s 2025 AFCON qualifiers from September to November.

However, despite these setbacks, the 32-year-old has refused to let the situation dampen his spirits.

Returning to the NPFL after stints in Europe and the Saudi Pro League, Musa has quickly rediscovered his best form with Kano Pillars.

His scintillating performances, which include five goals in the current season, have reignited discussions about his potential return to the Super Eagles.

Lawal has praised Musa’s contributions at Kano Pillars, pointing at the leadership and consistent goal-scoring abilities of the 2013 AFCON winner.

The former Leicester City and Al Nassr player’s influence has been crucial in keeping the team unbeaten in their last four matches, propelling them to sixth place in the NPFL table with 19 points from 13 games.

“Musa has done well since returning to Kano Pillars,” Lawal said, as per Complete Sports.

“Scoring goals consistently in a tough league like the NPFL is no small feat. It reflects his hunger for the game and his determination to prove he still belongs at the highest level.”

Lawal emphasised the value of Musa’s experience and impact, especially on younger players.

“We all know the challenges of playing in the NPFL,” Lawal added. “Despite these, he has scored five goals already. For me, that’s remarkable.

“There’s no doubt Musa has positively impacted his teammates, especially the younger players. It’s not every day you have a player of his calibre in the NPFL. The young players would have learned valuable lessons from his passion and dedication to the game. He is a true role model.”

The Super Eagles have a wealth of talent, including the likes of Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen, Victor Boniface, Umar Sadiq, and Taiwo Awoniyi, but several have struggled to find form for the national team. This has left the door slightly ajar for a potential Musa return.

Although Musa’s last appearance for the national team came during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire, Lawal firmly believes his current form makes a strong case for his inclusion. However, he stressed that the final decision lies with interim coach Augustine Eguavoen.

The Super Eagles suffered a disappointing 2-1 loss to Rwanda last week to end 2024 on a sour note even though the three-time African champions have already secured qualification for the 2025 AFCON.