Ahmed Musa has been included in the latest Super Eagles squad for their upcoming 2022 World Cup playoff matches against regional rivals Ghana later this month.
During the media parley, Nigeria's caretaker coach Augustine Eguavoen was asked to explain why he handed a call-up to Musa considering the fact that the Fatih Karagümrük winger is no more guaranteed a spot in the starting lineup.
The former CSKA Moscow star hinted at calling time on his international career after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Eguavoen namechecked 1994 and 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winning captains Stephen Keshi and Joseph Yobo as he defended his decision to name Musa in the 25-man squad, saying that his leadership qualities will be vital to the team.
Keshi and Yobo found themselves out of the starting lineup in their last AFCON tournament and it was the same situation for Musa in Cameroon though he was the substantive captain.
"We talked about Ahmed Musa. Ahmed Musa actually announced in the first press conference that it's going to be his last Africa Cup of Nations," Eguavoen told reporters.
"We are from a country that don't forget tradition, we don't forget history. These are things we did for late Keshi, 1994 he wasn't playing but he was our leader. These are things we did for people like Peter Rufai, Joseph Yobo.
"We are from a country that don't forget tradition, we don't forget history. These are things we did for late Keshi, 1994 he wasn't playing but he was our leader. These are things we did for people like Peter Rufai, Joseph Yobo.
"Ahmed Musa has got some leadership qualities whether we like or not as well but he can always give us some good 45-60 minutes when it becomes really necessary, that is why we try to see how we can help him honorably leave the scene hopefully after the World Cup.
"He has agreed that after the World Cup he's going to retire. We will still accord him that respect and honour because he's got a major role to play in the team."
"He has agreed that after the World Cup he's going to retire. We will still accord him that respect and honour because he's got a major role to play in the team."
Nigeria's record appearance holder in history, Musa has started only two of the last ten competitive matches played by the Super Eagles.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
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