Ahmed Musa: Scout Report
The vast continent of Africa has been a regular source of young talents for European clubs. Some of the biggest footballing names have come through from the second-largest continent in the world. While domestic football remains backward, unable to attract the crowds of the 70s and 80s, the national sides have been steadily improving and the influx of players has continued.
Nigeria has been a good hunting ground for European sides, with many getting a move into the promise land in the last decade or so. Ahmed Musa is one such fortunate footballer to come through, with a promising future ahead of him.
Profile
Ahmed Musa grew up in the popular Nigerian city of Jos, which has recently been facing constant riots between the Muslim & Christian fraternities. Fellow Nigerian national team-mates, John Obi Mikel and Joseph Akpala are also from the same city.
The youngster started his footballing education at the Aminchi Football Academy. During his time there, he earned a loan move to Nigerian Premier League side, JUTH FC based in his hometown of Jos, to experience football at the top-level. His exploits with the Jos University Teaching Hostipal (JUTH) FC, convinced the 2008 Nigerian Premier League champions, Kano Pillars, to give Musa another loan move. While still only 16-years-old, Ahmed Musa broke a 20 year record in the Nigerian Premier League by scoring 18 goals in one league season, and surpassing the record set by Ishaya Jatau.
Kano Pillars however finished in 2nd spot in the league, 4 points behind champions Enyimba. But his performances were enough to convince Dutch side VVV Venlo to sign the teenager, and the move was completed when Ahmed Musa was on duty with the Nigeria U-20 side at the African U-20 Youth Championship. Although, given his young age, Musa didn’t play a large part in the competition, Nigeria went on to win the tournament with a 3-2 win over Cameroon in Johannesburg.
Ahmed Musa arrived at the Dutch club the same season which saw arguably one of Venlo’s greatest player, Keisuke Honda, leave for Russia, as VVV earned promotion to the Dutch Eredivisie. He made his debut in a 5-3 defeat to FC Gronigen as VVV struggled in the top division of Dutch football. His first goal came in a 6-1 defeat to AZ Alkmaar. He scored a week later in a 3-0 win against NAC Breda, his first win in the Netherlands as he opened the scoring after just 2 minutes at the Seacon stadium. He scored 5 league goals in his first season at Venlo, including a brace in a famous win over Feyernoord. VVV just about survived that season after a Relegation Play-off win. But for Ahmed Musa, it was just the start of his growing reputation.
His talent was being widely recognised in the European media and back home as Musa received a number of accolades. A leading website named him in a list of best young players, a list which included the likes of Mario Gotze, Thiago Alcantara and Eden Hazard.
Musa went on to represent Nigeria at the U-20 World Cup in Colombia. The Africans topped their group with 3 wins out of 3; Ahmed scored against each group opponent— Guatemala, Croatia & Saudi Arabia. The Nigerians were knocked out by France in the quarter-finals, after beating England in the previous round; Musa however was named in FIFA’s 10-man shortlist for the Golden Ball award.
His fledging career continued, Musa scored a brace as VVV took a 2-0 lead against Ajax at home before conceding 2 in the space of 2 minutes in his first 2011/12 domestic league game of the season. He would score one more goal that season before facing Feyernoord again, a match in which he was sent off before half-time for a second yellow.
Ahmed Musa followed ex-VVV player Keisuke Honda to Russia by signing for CSKA Moscow in the Winter transfer window; his debut came in the Champions League against the mighty Real Madrid. He would go on to score 15 goals in the 2012/13 season for CSKA as he enjoyed his time with the quality of the likes of Honda and Dzagoev around him. He was also an integral part of Nigeria’s African Cup of Nations winning side, scoring a goal in their semi-final win over Mali.