NPFL: Ahmed Musa’s return to Kano Pillars ignites interest of top Nigerian players in local football

Super Eagles forward Ahmed Musa’s recent return to the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) has influenced some top Nigerian players to declare their intention to play in the Nigerian top-flight league in the future.

The former CSKA Moscow star has drawn headlines in recent weeks due to his performances for Kano Pillars in the NPFL.

Musa, alongside Shehu Abdullahi, who has played for the Super Eagles in the past, returned to NPFL club Kano Pillars on a free transfer in October.

The former Leicester City star has been impressive for the Sai Masu Gida so far this season.

The 32-year-old scored a brace against Sunshine Stars earlier this month.

He also netted a goal in Kano Pillars’ 4-3 away victory over Enugu Rangers, and just over the weekend, he provided an assist in his side’s 1-1 draw against Kwara United.

Musa has now registered three goals and two assists in four appearances for Kano Pillars.

His exploits so far in the Nigerian domestic league have made some top Nigerian players express their interest to also have a taste of the local league in the future.

Former Super Eagles striker Brown Ideye is on the verge of joining NPFL club Rivers United.

Ideye, who has played for clubs in Europe such as West Brom, Malaga, Göztepe, Dynamo Kyiv, and Olympiacos, started training with the Port Harcourt club a few days ago.

Rivers United head coach Finidi George revealed that Ideye is likely to join the club.

“He has that hunger; we have seen Ahmed Musa, and if he’s willing to do that, I think we will welcome him [Ideye],” Finidi said.

Also, some current Super Eagles stars like Alex Iwobi, Maduka Okoye, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, and Frank Onyeka recently revealed the NPFL clubs they would like to play for if the opportunity comes.

“I will join Musa at Kano Pillars,” Iwobi said when asked about his preference. On his part, Okoye said, “The only option for me is Enugu Rangers. The Flying Antelopes is my team. Some Nigerians already know; it is my father’s club. It is where we are from; it is where my roots are from. If I’m coming one day to the NPFL, it would be Enugu Rangers.”

When asked for his choice, Dele-Bashiru said, “If I had to, the club I know the most is Kano Pillars, so maybe I would go there.”

For Onyeka, he picked Enyimba, saying, “My state has a good team, Enyimba, so obviously I would like to play for Enyimba, but again, you never know. Some players would say they wish to play for one team and end up playing for another team.”

In the past, former Super Eagles players have had to return to end their playing careers in the Nigerian domestic league.

Among notable names who returned to the NPFL after their playing days in foreign leagues include Mobi Oparaku, Okechukwu Uche, and the late Rashidi Yekini.

Oparaku was at Gateway from 2005 to 2008 before he left for Enyimba in 2008 and eventually departed from the club in 2010.

For Uche, he signed for Ocean Boys in 2007 and Bayelsa United in 2008, while Yekini played for Julius Berger in the 2002-2003 season and joined Gateway in 2005.

Speaking with DAILY POST on the subject matter, assistant coach of Yaba FC Ahmed Omale commended Musa for deciding to return to Kano Pillars to play in the NPFL.

Omale also noted that it was a thing of joy for Super Eagles players to express interest in the NPFL.

According to him, it would boost the league’s reputation in Africa and the world at large.

“Well, it is a thing of joy for Super Eagles players to express their interest to play in the Nigerian domestic league. Ahmed Musa and Shehu Abdullahi have opened the door for this generation of players we have in the Super Eagles. Honestly, it is a good one and a welcome development,” Omale said.

“It brings a lot of positivity to the league. It would definitely boost the league’s reputation in Nigeria, Africa, and the world at large.

“People would like to watch these players who they watched during their peak in Europe. That is one of the things I like about Brazilian players. The majority of them like to go back to their country to play in their domestic league towards the end of their professional career.

“I remember Ronaldinho, Marcelo, David Luiz, and even Thiago Silva; there are a lot to mention. They all went back to play in their country’s domestic league after so many years in Europe.”

He added, “It is a way of giving back to the country. So I must commend Musa for taking this decision. Like they say, ‘there is no place like home.’

“I know he is approaching the end of his professional career as a footballer, but at the same time, he is doing fantastically well at Kano Pillars. If he continues with his impressive form, who knows, he may get a recall to the national team for the 2025 AFCON.

“I also want to use this opportunity to call on other Nigerian players playing abroad to always try to come back home and upgrade the local league by playing for a domestic club after they have achieved everything in Europe.”

Also, speaking with DAILY POST, Idris Musa Adinoyi, the captain of Dawaki Rangers FC, said Musa’s return to the NPFL shows the growth the Nigerian league has experienced over the past couple of seasons.

Adinoyi said: “This shows the growth the NPFL has experienced over the past couple of years and would definitely come with a boost to the quality of football, popularity, and commercials that come with the influx of internationally known players.

“I think there’s always a great feeling that comes with showcasing one’s talents wherever the opportunity takes them. I’m very happy for him [Ahmed Musa] as he actually gets to experience this phase of his career in his homeland and a place he sincerely adores.

“Not to place any single player above others in a team, but with his vast experience internationally, many players in his present club stand to benefit from having such a level of experience among their ranks.

“It’s not so long ago when Ahmed Musa had to endure a spell without being contracted to any club, and for him to come back with such exceptional performances is definitely a wonderful feeling, and he deserves every bit of those moments.”