Musa backtracks on decision not to represent Nigeria at AFCON, confirms he's available for 2023 tourney

Nigeria's top scorer in World Cup history with four goals, Ahmed Musa has backtracked on his decision not to represent the Super Eagles at the Africa Cup of Nations again, saying that he's available for selection for the 2023 tournament in Ivory Coast in the event that the Super Eagles qualify as expected.

As reported by allnigeriasoccer.com in January 2022, the former CSKA Moscow star confirmed that he did not at any time say he was going to retire from the national team post-AFCON 2021.

Despite saying the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon was his last AFCON, Musa is currently with the Super Eagles in Abuja preparing for their AFCON qualifiers against Sierra Leone and São Tomé and Príncipe.

The Super Eagles captain has said that he never stopped playing for the Super Eagles and new coach Jose Peseiro thinks he's still important for the team.

Speaking to Nigerian journalists in Abuja on Monday, Musa said : "That's what I said but I've not said I've stopped in the national team.

"The coach knows that I have something to give and that's why I came.

"The next AFCON is next year so I'm still playing active football . Definitely if I'm still playing active football, if the coach thinks I can give back to the team that's not my wish, he's the one to call, anytime I get a call up I know this is my country I have to come.

"I don't know for now if I'll be at the 2026 World Cup."

An Africa Cup of Nations winner with the Super Eagles in 2013, Musa holds the all-time record for most appearances for the national team, playing 105 matches from September 2010 to date.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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