Ahmed Musa (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Ahmed Musa is a Nigeria
n forward playing for the Dutch club VVV-Venlo as a winger. He is also a member of the Nigeria national football team
.
where he played 18 games, scoring four goals in his first two professional seasons for the Healers. He was subsequently loaned to Kano Pillars F.C.
in the 2009-10 season where he set the league record with 18 goals as Pillars finished second.
Musa previously held the record for the highest goals ever scored in one season in the history of the Nigeria Premier League till November 2011 when Jude Aneke
of Kaduna United F.C.
set a new goals record of 20 goals.
club VVV-Venlo in summer 2010 but the move was held up because he was only 17 years of age and therefore not eligible for an ITC in accordance with the current FIFA rules. He was officially eligible to play for VVV Venlo on 14 October 2010 when he eventually turned 18 years of age.
Less than a week after arriving at the club, Musa made his debut for VVV-Venlo against FC Groningen on the 30th October. He started the game for VVV-Venlo, was fouled in the 50th minute and a penalty was awarded.
Rated by Goal.com
amongst the Hot 100 young football stars in the world to watch in 2011,
Lolade Adewuyi for Goal.com put him on the list of Top Ten Nigerian International Players Of 2010 and was also included in IFFHS list of the best 140 players in the world.
On 8th March 2011 Ahmed Musa won the AIT footballer of the year award (national), the ceremony was held at the Presidential Hotel, Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The event had in attendance, BBC African Footballer of the Year
winner, Ghanaian Asamoah Gyan
and the top officials from the Nigerian football federation including the president Aminu Maigari.
In April, Venlo's football director Mario Captien said that representatives of Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
had visited the club regarding the player
, also Ajax scout Tijani Babangida said that Ajax were interested in Musa but the outcome will be decided at the end of the season.
On 1 May 2011 Ahmed Musa hit a brace to sink Feyenoord 3-2 and end any lingering fears of automatic relegation from the Eredivisie.
In August 2011 after returning from the U-20 world cup in Colombian, Musa made his first appearance of the 2011/2012 season at home against AFC Ajax and scored two goals.
In September VVV Venlo
chairman Hai Berden disclosed on Eredivise Live that VVV Venlo
had turned down a last minute bid of 10 million Euros for Ahmed Musa from the Fußball-Bundesliga
. The name of the Fußball-Bundesliga
club was not disclosed.
, he was called up to join the Nigeria national football team
camp prior to the 2010 FIFA World Cup
in South Africa after helping the Nigerian team win in the 2010 WAFU Nations Cup
where he scored a goal against Benin
. In the same tournament against Burkina Faso
, Musa's goal deep into extra-time shot Nigeria into the finals of the tournament in Abeokuta. He was however forced out of the world cup 30-man roster due to an ankle injury.
On 5 September, Musa represented the Nigeria national football team
in a qualification match for the Africa Nations Cup against Madagascar
, where he came on as a substitute for John Obi Mikel. Nigeria won the match with 2-0. Musa scored a goal for Nigeria in the March 2011 friendly against Kenya
.
In April 2011 Ahmed Musa was included in the Nigerian U-20 squad to represent Nigeria in the AYC world cup qualifiers
, even though VVV Venlo had declared him unavailable for the tournament due to club commitments. After some intense negotiations with the Nigerian Federation, VVV Venlo and Musa's representatives it was agreed that Musa will shuttle between the Netherlands and South Africa to participate in the tournament with the national team.
After the opening game against defending champions Ghana, Musa won the (MVP) most valuable player award hosted by samsung and boarded the next flight back to the Netherlands.
In August 2011, Musa represented the Nigeria national under-20 football team
in the U-20 World Cup held in Colombia
, where he scored three goals in five matches. Musa was included by FIFA
in shortlist of 10 candidates for the Adidas
Golden Ball, which was awarded to the most outstanding player of the FIFA U-20 World Cup
.
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
n forward playing for the Dutch club VVV-Venlo as a winger. He is also a member of the Nigeria national football team
Nigeria national football team
The Nigeria national football team, nicknamed the Super Eagles or Green Eagles, is the national team of Nigeria and is controlled by the Nigeria Football Federation . The team has ranked as high as 5th in the FIFA World Rankings, in April 1994...
.
Breakthrough in Nigeria
In 2008 he was loaned to JUTH F.C.JUTH F.C.
-History:They play at the Rwang Pam Stadium, with a capacity of 15 000. They are currently in talks with the NFL to build their own stadium. Due to the 2010 Jos riots they played some home games in Lafia, Nasarawa.-Current squad:...
where he played 18 games, scoring four goals in his first two professional seasons for the Healers. He was subsequently loaned to Kano Pillars F.C.
Kano Pillars F.C.
Kano Pillars Football Club is a Nigerian football club based in Kano. They play in the top division in Nigerian football, the Nigerian Premier League. Their home stadium is Sani Abacha Stadium. Kano Pillars FC was founded in the year 1990, the year professional league was started in Nigeria...
in the 2009-10 season where he set the league record with 18 goals as Pillars finished second.
Musa previously held the record for the highest goals ever scored in one season in the history of the Nigeria Premier League till November 2011 when Jude Aneke
Jude Aneke
Jude Aneke is a Nigerian forward playing for Kaduna United F.C.-Career:He started his career with local side Mgbo Ambassadors while a Political Science student at Ebonyi State University...
of Kaduna United F.C.
Kaduna United F.C.
Kaduna United Football Club is a Nigerian football club based in Kaduna and run by the Kaduna State government.-History:They were relegated from the Nigerian Premier League in 2007 but won promotion one year later...
set a new goals record of 20 goals.
VVV-Venlo
He transferred to DutchNetherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
club VVV-Venlo in summer 2010 but the move was held up because he was only 17 years of age and therefore not eligible for an ITC in accordance with the current FIFA rules. He was officially eligible to play for VVV Venlo on 14 October 2010 when he eventually turned 18 years of age.
Less than a week after arriving at the club, Musa made his debut for VVV-Venlo against FC Groningen on the 30th October. He started the game for VVV-Venlo, was fouled in the 50th minute and a penalty was awarded.
Rated by Goal.com
Goal.com
Goal.com, founded in 2004 by Chicco Merighi and former Ferrari Maserati and Ralph Lauren President and CEO Gian Luigi Longinotti-Buitoni, is a website for international football news. Goal.com represents the largest football community in the world, with 22 language versions, covering over 200...
amongst the Hot 100 young football stars in the world to watch in 2011,
Lolade Adewuyi for Goal.com put him on the list of Top Ten Nigerian International Players Of 2010 and was also included in IFFHS list of the best 140 players in the world.
On 8th March 2011 Ahmed Musa won the AIT footballer of the year award (national), the ceremony was held at the Presidential Hotel, Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The event had in attendance, BBC African Footballer of the Year
BBC African Footballer of the Year
The BBC African Footballer of the Year is an annual award given to the best African footballer of the year as voted by the BBC radio listeners.-Winners:-External links:******...
winner, Ghanaian Asamoah Gyan
Asamoah Gyan
Asamoah Gyan is a Ghanaian professional footballer, who plays as a striker for Emirati club Al Ain in the UAE Pro-League , and the Ghana national team....
and the top officials from the Nigerian football federation including the president Aminu Maigari.
In April, Venlo's football director Mario Captien said that representatives of Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
had visited the club regarding the player
, also Ajax scout Tijani Babangida said that Ajax were interested in Musa but the outcome will be decided at the end of the season.
On 1 May 2011 Ahmed Musa hit a brace to sink Feyenoord 3-2 and end any lingering fears of automatic relegation from the Eredivisie.
In August 2011 after returning from the U-20 world cup in Colombian, Musa made his first appearance of the 2011/2012 season at home against AFC Ajax and scored two goals.
In September VVV Venlo
VVV Venlo
VVV-Venlo is a football club from Venlo in the Netherlands, currently playing in the Eredivisie. The club plays its home games in the De Koel stadium, known as Seacon Stadion – De Koel - for sponsorship reasons....
chairman Hai Berden disclosed on Eredivise Live that VVV Venlo
VVV Venlo
VVV-Venlo is a football club from Venlo in the Netherlands, currently playing in the Eredivisie. The club plays its home games in the De Koel stadium, known as Seacon Stadion – De Koel - for sponsorship reasons....
had turned down a last minute bid of 10 million Euros for Ahmed Musa from the Fußball-Bundesliga
Fußball-Bundesliga
The Fußball-Bundesliga is a professional association football league in Germany. At the top of Germany's football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. It is contested by 18 teams and operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the 2. Bundesliga...
. The name of the Fußball-Bundesliga
Fußball-Bundesliga
The Fußball-Bundesliga is a professional association football league in Germany. At the top of Germany's football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. It is contested by 18 teams and operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the 2. Bundesliga...
club was not disclosed.
International career
In April 2010 under Coach Lars LagerbackLars Lagerbäck
Lars Edvin "Lasse" Lagerbäck is a Swedish football manager and former player, currently managing Iceland....
, he was called up to join the Nigeria national football team
Nigeria national football team
The Nigeria national football team, nicknamed the Super Eagles or Green Eagles, is the national team of Nigeria and is controlled by the Nigeria Football Federation . The team has ranked as high as 5th in the FIFA World Rankings, in April 1994...
camp prior to the 2010 FIFA World Cup
2010 FIFA World Cup
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
in South Africa after helping the Nigerian team win in the 2010 WAFU Nations Cup
2010 WAFU Nations Cup
The WAFU Championship is an association football tournament organised by the West African Football Union. The 2010 edition took place in April 2010 and was competed for by eight national football team selections using only players from local leagues...
where he scored a goal against Benin
Benin national football team
The Benin national football team, nicknamed Les Écureuils , is the national football team of Benin and is controlled by the Fédération Béninoise de Football. They were known as the Dahomey national football team until 1975, when Dahomey became Benin. They have never made the World Cup but have...
. In the same tournament against Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso national football team
The Burkina Faso national football team, nicknamed Les Etalons , is the national team of Burkina Faso and is controlled by the Fédération Burkinabé de Foot-Ball. They were known as the Upper Volta national football team until 1984, when Upper Volta became Burkina Faso...
, Musa's goal deep into extra-time shot Nigeria into the finals of the tournament in Abeokuta. He was however forced out of the world cup 30-man roster due to an ankle injury.
On 5 September, Musa represented the Nigeria national football team
Nigeria national football team
The Nigeria national football team, nicknamed the Super Eagles or Green Eagles, is the national team of Nigeria and is controlled by the Nigeria Football Federation . The team has ranked as high as 5th in the FIFA World Rankings, in April 1994...
in a qualification match for the Africa Nations Cup against Madagascar
Madagascar national football team
The Madagascar national football team, nicknamed Les Guerriers Zébus , is the national team of Madagascar and is controlled by the Fédération Malagasy de Football. It has never qualified for the finals of the World Cup or the African Nations Cup...
, where he came on as a substitute for John Obi Mikel. Nigeria won the match with 2-0. Musa scored a goal for Nigeria in the March 2011 friendly against Kenya
Kenya national football team
The Kenya national football team, nicknamed the Harambee Stars, is the national team of Kenya and is controlled by Football Kenya Limited, the governing body of football in Kenya. They have never qualified for the World Cup finals.-History:...
.
In April 2011 Ahmed Musa was included in the Nigerian U-20 squad to represent Nigeria in the AYC world cup qualifiers
2011 African Youth Championship
The 2011 African Youth Championship was a football tournament for the Under-20 level national teams in Africa. It was due to be held in Libya from 18 March to 1 April...
, even though VVV Venlo had declared him unavailable for the tournament due to club commitments. After some intense negotiations with the Nigerian Federation, VVV Venlo and Musa's representatives it was agreed that Musa will shuttle between the Netherlands and South Africa to participate in the tournament with the national team.
After the opening game against defending champions Ghana, Musa won the (MVP) most valuable player award hosted by samsung and boarded the next flight back to the Netherlands.
In August 2011, Musa represented the Nigeria national under-20 football team
Nigeria national under-20 football team
Nigeria U-20 men's national soccer team, also known as Nigeria Under-20s or nicknamed Flying Eagles, is the youth team for national soccer in Nigeria...
in the U-20 World Cup held in Colombia
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
, where he scored three goals in five matches. Musa was included by FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
in shortlist of 10 candidates for the Adidas
Adidas
Adidas AG is a German sports apparel manufacturer and parent company of the Adidas Group, which consists of the Reebok sportswear company, TaylorMade-Adidas golf company , and Rockport...
Golden Ball, which was awarded to the most outstanding player of the FIFA U-20 World Cup
FIFA U-20 World Cup
The FIFA U-20 World Cup, until 2005 known as the FIFA World Youth Championship, is the world championship of football for male players under the age of 20 and is organized by Fédération Internationale de Football Association...
.