Super Eagles Captain Musa On Missing The Post-AFCON Internationals Against Ukraine, Brazil

Coach Gernot Rohr could not count on the services of Ahmed Musa when the Super Eagles tackled Ukraine and Brazil in two post-Africa Cup of Nations internationals in September and October respectively as the Al-Nassr winger was recovering from injury.

The former Leicester City man is aware that he is not guaranteed a starting shirt for the upcoming matches against Benin and Lesotho because the attack-minded players such as Samuel Chukwueze, Samuel Kalu, Moses Simon and Victor Osimhen gave a good account of themselves in the national team's last two friendlies.

Given that Musa has logged only 163 minutes in the Saudi Professional League since the end of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, there are genuine concerns over his match fitness and he's only just returning from an injury that kept on the sidelines for nine weeks.

The first question asked at Tuesday's press conference was directed at Musa regarding how he felt to be making a return to the squad after missing the games against Ukraine and Brazil.

'''It is not that easy after the AFCON to miss two important games, but I was home watching the games and they played very well,'' Musa told reporters including allnigeriasoccer.com.

''For me, I think the game tomorrow if the coach can give me the chance to go ahead with the team that played against Brazil, I feel very happy coming back.''

If Musa fails to make the starting line-up against the Squirrels, Udinese central defender William Troost-Ekong is likely to be handed the captain's armband.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel