Saudi Arabia move might boost Musa's Super Eagles hopes

[1naija]

Ahmed Musa's Super Eagles hopes - Rohr

1:13 PM CT

Colin Udoh
Football Editor, KweséESPN
http://www.espn.com/soccer/nigeria/stor ... -says-rohr

Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr believes that Ahmed Musa's move to Al-Nassr FC this week could boost his Super Eagles contribution.

The 25-year-old ended his underwhelming two-year stay with Leicester City on Friday, when he signed deal with the Saudi Arabian side.

Despite moving away from European football, and one of the world's major leagues, Super Eagles boss Rohr is confident that Musa's move could help Nigeria.

"I am very happy for Musa," Rohr told KweséESPN. "It's good for him to go to a club where he is playing than to a club where he is not playing.

"The assistant coach at Leicester [Jacky Bonnevay] is someone I know, and he is sad that Musa has to go," the German coach continued. "He saw him training and he was very happy."

"I do not say that [Musa's international career will be jeopardised by his move to Saudi Arabia]," Rohr concluded.

"He is an important player for us, and he is going to a club where he plays, that's important.

Ahmed Musa is a real threat in front of goal... but don't ask him to cross the ball from the wing. Ryan Pierse - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images

"It's better for us that he plays all the time than he stays on the bench."

Musa managed just 21 Premier League appearances - of which seven were starts - after moving to Leicester from CSKA Moscow in 2016.

He scored twice after struggling to force his way into either Claudio Ranieri or Craig Shakespeare's plans.

He didn't feature for the Foxes last term after being deemed surplus to requirements by Claude Puel, and was sent back on loan to CSKA.

His fortunes improved back in Russia, and he netted six times in 10 Russian Premier League outings in order to secure a spot in Nigeria's World Cup squad.

Memorably, the fleet-footed forward netted twice after the Super Eagles downed Iceland 2-0 in their second group game.

Before joining CSKA in 2012, Musa was the NPFL's then-highest scorer after netting 18 times with Kano Pillars in the 2009-19 season when just 17.

He subsequently secured a move to VVV-Venlo in the Netherlands.

[EMIR KONGI JAFFI JOFFA]

Oliseh was right all along, Musa is the next SE capt..

[metalalloy]

"I do not say that [Musa's international career will be jeopardised by his move to Saudi Arabia]," Rohr concluded.

"He is an important player for us, and he is going to a club where he plays, that's important.

chei some people on dis site wont like to read dis one oh.

[ohenhen1]

This Rohr guy is scamming Nigeria.

[Enugu II]

To me, as long as Musa is in form with Al Nasr he deserves a call up and it should be a no brainer. Many guys on this site are fixated on the past and do not realize that football and leagues are dynamic and changing all the times. This is if you are really concerned about where a guy is playing, which to me means very little. But if you are concerned, then not only would you not have been surprised about Iran's performance at the World Cup considering how they have done in Asia in recent times but you will realize that Al Nasr was a former Asian Champion. As I mentioned earlier, several top players who play in the national teams of other countries are actually playing in the Saudi league. If you had no problems with the call up of Uzoho in the Spanish 3rd division, call up of Shehu when he was in Cyprus, then you should have no problems with Rohr calling up Musa from Al Nasr except of course your mind is still fixated on Saudi Arabia of decades ago without realizing that changes do happen. Just my tuppence.

[bully12]

Assuming someone like Victor Moses, Ndidi or even Kelechi Ihenacho has made this move could he have received all these accolade . I recalled when Imo moved to Middle east club from Anderlecht he was acerbically castigated in this forum . He was called different names. Surely he never regained his career after that only pecuniary motivated move. Honestly with Rohr's utterance I feel something is fishy with him .

[DAgrin]

Many players have played in backwater leagues and still shown their worth at the WC - the biggest stage national team players can feature at. Musa is one of them. As long as a player has class he should play for Nigeria. I know many might doubt his quality even now but I strongly believe Musa is very relevant for the SE. He knows how to perform well on the biggest stage. That are the players that are needed.

[Gooner1]

...SE are not serious, any player in the ME/China leagues should be blocked from the NT

[DAgrin]

Assuming someone like Victor Moses, Ndidi or even Kelechi Ihenacho has made this move could he have received all these accolade . I recalled when Imo moved to Middle east club from Anderlecht he was acerbically castigated in this forum . He was called different names. Surely he never regained his career after that only pecuniary motivated move. Honestly with Rohr's utterance I feel something is fishy with him .

Why always think complicated? None of the above names is about to make such a move. That thought is just speculative. Imoh Ezekiel is a talented player but has never established himself. Ahmed Musa is an established SE player who has done well for our country. Therefore he has every right to get the chance to reclaim his place if he still performs well for club and country

[bully12]

Definitely I'm not saddened for the move I sincerely think he has reached his plateau hence he is not going to improve further.

[1naija]

To me, as long as Musa is in form with Al Nasr he deserves a call up and it should be a no brainer. Many guys on this site are fixated on the past and do not realize that football and leagues are dynamic and changing all the times. This is if you are really concerned about where a guy is playing, which to me means very little. But if you are concerned, then not only would you not have been surprised about Iran's performance at the World Cup considering how they have done in Asia in recent times but you will realize that Al Nasr was a former Asian Champion. As I mentioned earlier, several top players who play in the national teams of other countries are actually playing in the Saudi league. If you had no problems with the call up of Uzoho in the Spanish 3rd division, call up of Shehu when he was in Cyprus, then you should have no problems with Rohr calling up Musa from Al Nasr except of course your mind is still fixated on Saudi Arabia of decades ago without realizing that changes do happen. Just my tuppence.

EII, level of competition matters. If we are trying to win the Nations cup, then it's no big deal playing player from Saudi Arabia league where there is little competition. If your goal is to beat a team filled with Barcelona, Real Madrid, Man U, Bayern, Inter Milan players etc, then you are putting Nigeria at a disadvantage by fielding players from weak leagues. Sure, they can perform extraordinary in one game to look competitive, but they can't maintain such performance game in game out and win. Sooner or later they will crack. It's like the 2014 WC when Enyeama had those spectacular saves against Messi. Eventually he cracked because nobody can keep up such performance under constant pressure.

I disagree with Rohr on this.

[Bigpokey24]

Rubbish, Musa has no business in the SE playing in Saudi.. Axel Witsel just moved to Dortmund from China..but Nigerian players and the hunger for Money choose to play in China and Saudi..rubbish. missed 3 Afcons out of 4..failed to get out of the world cup group...3 wins from 11 in 2018..lost to SA at home..smh..

[EMIR KONGI JAFFI JOFFA]

Rubbish, Musa has no business in the SE playing in Saudi.. Axel Witsel just moved to Dortmund from China..but Nigerian players and the hunger for Money choose to play in China and Saudi..rubbish. missed 3 Afcons out of 4..failed to get out of the world cup group...3 wins from 11 in 2018..lost to SA at home..smh..

You're right, Musa should go to Dortmund or Barca so he can play at the next World Cup for SE.

[The YeyeMan]

A mediocre coach speaks...

[nemi2002]

Football is work.

[Cally]

Rubbish, Musa has no business in the SE playing in Saudi.. Axel Witsel just moved to Dortmund from China..but Nigerian players and the hunger for Money choose to play in China and Saudi..rubbish. missed 3 Afcons out of 4..failed to get out of the world cup group...3 wins from 11 in 2018..lost to SA at home..smh..

You don't feed them nor their families, so you don't have a say.

[ugly boy]

Assuming someone like Victor Moses, Ndidi or even Kelechi Ihenacho has made this move could he have received all these accolade . I recalled when Imo moved to Middle east club from Anderlecht he was acerbically castigated in this forum . He was called different names. Surely he never regained his career after that only pecuniary motivated move. Honestly with Rohr's utterance I feel something is fishy with him .

You need a very good psychologist. Even then they would only be able to help adjust your tribal mindset to a semi functional one.

[Kneedeep]

To me, as long as Musa is in form with Al Nasr he deserves a call up and it should be a no brainer. Many guys on this site are fixated on the past and do not realize that football and leagues are dynamic and changing all the times. This is if you are really concerned about where a guy is playing, which to me means very little. But if you are concerned, then not only would you not have been surprised about Iran's performance at the World Cup considering how they have done in Asia in recent times but you will realize that Al Nasr was a former Asian Champion. As I mentioned earlier, several top players who play in the national teams of other countries are actually playing in the Saudi league. If you had no problems with the call up of Uzoho in the Spanish 3rd division, call up of Shehu when he was in Cyprus, then you should have no problems with Rohr calling up Musa from Al Nasr except of course your mind is still fixated on Saudi Arabia of decades ago without realizing that changes do happen. Just my tuppence.

Prof., I must say you're making this debate interesting......

[The YeyeMan]

To me, as long as Musa is in form with Al Nasr he deserves a call up and it should be a no brainer. Many guys on this site are fixated on the past and do not realize that football and leagues are dynamic and changing all the times. This is if you are really concerned about where a guy is playing, which to me means very little. But if you are concerned, then not only would you not have been surprised about Iran's performance at the World Cup considering how they have done in Asia in recent times but you will realize that Al Nasr was a former Asian Champion. As I mentioned earlier, several top players who play in the national teams of other countries are actually playing in the Saudi league. If you had no problems with the call up of Uzoho in the Spanish 3rd division, call up of Shehu when he was in Cyprus, then you should have no problems with Rohr calling up Musa from Al Nasr except of course your mind is still fixated on Saudi Arabia of decades ago without realizing that changes do happen. Just my tuppence.

There's being in form and there's being in form. Someone being in form in Saudi Arabia is the equivalent of someone having a below average game in the Belgium league. And that should be taken into consideration. But Rohr seems determined to play his part in lowering standards so...

My thinking of the Saudi Arabian league isn't fixed on its quality of decades past; it's based on it being a junk league as of today.

Btw, Uzoho was called up after playing for the Depor first team.

[9jaMan]

Assuming someone like Victor Moses, Ndidi or even Kelechi Ihenacho has made this move could he have received all these accolade . I recalled when Imo moved to Middle east club from Anderlecht he was acerbically castigated in this forum . He was called different names. Surely he never regained his career after that only pecuniary motivated move. Honestly with Rohr's utterance I feel something is fishy with him .

Stand for something or fall for anything, if it smells like fish, it's fish. Rohr is fraud.

[bully12]

Assuming someone like Victor Moses, Ndidi or even Kelechi Ihenacho has made this move could he have received all these accolade . I recalled when Imo moved to Middle east club from Anderlecht he was acerbically castigated in this forum . He was called different names. Surely he never regained his career after that only pecuniary motivated move. Honestly with Rohr's utterance I feel something is fishy with him .

You need a very good psychologist. Even then they would only be able to help adjust your tribal mindset to a semi functional one.

Believe you me I wanted to resist responding to your diabolical comments. I always imagine you as lucifer himself or herself who reincarnated. There is no iota of doubt in my mind you are from this plain with lucifer. I hate to say it I have a profound revulsion for your personality . Simpleton of the century. Go back to where you belong the deepest part of bottomless pit.

[wale1974]

Rubbish, Musa has no business in the SE playing in Saudi.. Axel Witsel just moved to Dortmund from China..but Nigerian players and the hunger for Money choose to play in China and Saudi..rubbish. missed 3 Afcons out of 4..failed to get out of the world cup group...3 wins from 11 in 2018..lost to SA at home..smh..

You're right, Musa should go to Dortmund or Barca so he can play at the next World Cup for SE.

[john12]

Calm down oga bully. This is just a game and it hasn’t transcended football. Calling someone lucifer for footballing reasons isn’t pleasurable and honestly mods needs to reevaluate “derogatory insults” at this site.