Undoubtedly, the history of Kano Pillars Football Club will be incomplete without a mention of Ahmed Musa, whose name has become synonymous with the biggest club in northern Nigeria. Although the 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season is just seven weeks old, the story of Pillars’ campaign is built around the outstanding performance of the 32-year-old international winger.
When it was reported that the Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa, would return to Pillars for the 2024 season, those who feel it is time for him to hang his boots doubted the news but his fans who know his passion for the club believed what they heard or read on social media. Musa eventually signed for the third time to play for the club along with his former Super Eagles teammate, Shehu Abdullahi, the Sokoto born defender who is making a second stint with the club.
Even when he was spotted in the team’s training along with his teammates, some doubting Thomasses still said Musa was there on his routine visit to the club. However, such doubts were cleared when the jet-heeled attacking-winger made his third debut for Kano Pillars on Sunday, October 6, against Sunshine Stars.
In his first start for the club this time at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium Katsina, Musa instantly hit a brace as he propelled Pillars to a convincing 2-0 victory over the ‘Akure Gunners’ in the week 5 match. In fact, if not for his unfortunate miss from the spot after he was fouled in the box, Musa would have announced his return to the NPFL with a blazing hat-trick.
His performance no doubt excited his teeming fans across Nigeria. Interestingly, he told his fans to expect more goals from him. When Pillars travelled to Uyo for their week 6 clash with Akwa United on the eve of his birthday, Musa was unlucky to fire blanks. However, he took his goal scoring boots to Enugu, where he again inspired Pillars to beat title holders Rangers for their first away win of the season.
Musa’s contribution to Pillars’ victory over Rangers was intriguing because he was involved in all the four goals the ‘Masu gida’ boys scored in the first half of what turned out to be a game of two halves. It was a contest of two halves because Pillars dominated the first while the ‘Flying Antelopes’ took total control of the second half.
So, this was how Musa’s extraordinary performance brought about Rangers’ first home defeat of the season. He was fouled in the box, and ‘Pele’ stepped forward to put Pillars ahead. Musa assisted Zilkiflu Rabiu to double Pillars’ lead. Before the home fans could know what was happening, he fired in a dangerous cross which a Rangers’ defender handed in the box leading to the second penalty which ‘Pele’ calmly converted for Pillars’ third goal of the evening. As if he had personal scores to settle with Rangers, just before the break, Musa then took matters into his hands when he outpaced three ‘Flying Antelopes’ to score what turned out to be the match winner for his side.
In three matches, Musa has scored three goals and is eying more before he may jet out in the next transfer window. Although one is not privy to Musa’s contract with Pillars, going by his present form, it won’t be a surprise if he departs before the end of the current NPFL season to play for a foreign club.
One thing about Musa that has endeared him to many football fans in Nigeria is his humility, philanthropy, and professionalism. He is one of the few Super Eagles players who have consistently spent their holiday in Nigeria. For Musa, there is no other place like Kano. After all, that is where he has invested a reasonable chunk of the money that he has made as a professional football player. He is also called the ‘governor’ and it sounds as if he is the governor of Kano State. No wonder Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has named him the Kano Sports Ambassador for his dedication and selfless service to the state.
Personally, what fascinates me the most about the Super Eagles captain is the seriousness he constantly displays when playing for Kano Pillars. Even as he has seen it all at the highest level of football, he still humbles himself on the field. He fights for every ball as if his life depends on it. He does not stroll around the field like a king. In fact, when I watched his goal against Rangers, I was speechless. It was surprising that he still possesses the same speed he carried in his legs when he was a teenager. He left the defenders who are far younger than him gasping for breath.
Therefore, the living legend deserves commendation for doing so much to draw more attention to the NPFL. Each time he returns to play for Kano Pillars in the domestic league, the followership around the world increases. His example is worthy of emulation for so many foreign based Nigerian players who are without clubs but coming back home to play in the NPFL is never an option for them. Funny enough, most of them can’t boast of the top form captain Musa is showing at the moment.
It is on this happy note that I doff my hat for the Kano Pillars legend as he keeps rolling back the years with amazing performances. We now know why he has refused to call time on his illustrious Super Eagles career. The ‘governor’ may come back for more international camps. With 109 appearances, Ahmed Musa, who boasts of an unrivalled double brace for the Super Eagles at FIFA World Cup, is presently the most capped Nigerian player. Yet, there is no sign of fatigue from the dazzling Musa.
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