Kano Pillars Signs Ahmed Musa On A Short-Term Deal

The Nigeria Super Eagles captain has joined Nigerian Premier League side Kano Pliilars until the remainder of the current 2020/21 season.

Musa has been a free agent since departing Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr in October last year, scoring 11 goals and provided 14 assists in 57 matches, helping the club, whom he joined from Leicester City in summer 2018, to the Saudi Pro League and Super Cup titles.

 

It was reported that English Premier League club West Bromwich Albion was keen to complete a move for Ahmed Musa in the just concluded January transfer window, but failed to finalise a deal over finances.

In other to maintain fitness as he continues his search for an European club, the 28-year-old rejoins Kano Pillars with a clause in his agreement which allows him to leave when and if he can find a club in Europe.

Kano Pillars made the official announcement on Tuesday evening via the club's twitter account, and in a statement by the club's media officer Rilwan Idris Malikawa; "We have now signed Ahmed Musa after talks with the League Management Company of Nigeria (LMC), and with the aim of boosting the image of the domestic league".

This would be Musa's second spell at his boyhood Kano Pillars, a club he had scored a record 18 goals for to finish as top scorer in the 2009/10 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season. 

It was the highest goals ever scored in one season in the history of the league at the time, as he helped the club finished second behind Champions Enyimba that season.

The former VVV Venlo, CSKA Moscow and Leicester City player told BBC Africa why he considered the deal to return to his home base;

"Anything that improves the image of Nigerian football is something that I strive to embark on and Kano Pillars holds a special place in my heart," 

"It's the team that helped me become the professional footballer I am today, so this is more than just football but a very strong bond."

Kano Pillars are currently joint top of the NPFL table alongside Kwara United on 36 points from 19 matches, while Akwa Utd stays third with 34 points.

His presence would serve as a big boost for Sai Masu Gida who are in the race to emerge as League champions for the fifth time in history after they lastly successfully won it three consecutive times in 2012, 2013, and 2014 respectively. 

Musa recently made his 96th appearance for the Super Eagles in their 3-0 win over Lesotho in Lagos last month for the final Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

He is now the third most capped Super Eagles player after Vincent Enyeama (101) and Joseph Yobo (100) since his debut in 2010 at age 17.

He would be looking forward to secure a place in Gernot Rohr final list for the 2022 AFCON tournament in Cameroon, and also for the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers which will begin in May.

According to the draws held on January 21, 2020 Nigeria will slug it out against Cape Verde, Central African Republic and Liberia.

Musa was among the squad that won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations under former coach Stephen Keshi, and has featured in the past two  World Cups (2014 and 2018), scoring twice in each to become the country's top goal scorer in the competition.