NIGERIA’S TOP WORLD CUP SCORER AHMED MUSA RETIRES AFTER 15 YEARS
Nigeria’s most capped player, Ahmed Musa, retired from the Super Eagles. We look back at his 111 caps and World Cup heroics.
Ahmed Musa, Nigeria's most capped player, has announced his retirement from international soccer.
This decision, coming at age 33, follows a few days after William Troost-Ekong, stand-in captain for the Super Eagles, also ended his international career with the three-time African champions.
Musa's choice was influenced by not being picked for Nigeria’s team for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, which starts in Morocco on December 21.
Dear Nigerians, Super Eagles family, after thinking it over, I've decided to retire from international soccer, ending almost 15 years with the Super Eagles, Musa shared in a social media post.
From my first call-up, wearing the green and white meant everything. I was just a kid when it started.
I remember being invited to the U20, the U23, and the Super Eagles at the same time. I was young, still learning, and always on the road, but I never complained.
Whenever Nigeria called, I was there. I never had to think twice about it.
Musa gained fame with Kano Pillars, a top Nigerian team, after playing for Nigeria at the youth level.
He debuted for the senior team on September 5, 2010, at 17, replacing John Obi Mikel in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Madagascar, which Nigeria won 2–0.
Musa scored his first international goal in March 2011 in a friendly match against Kenya.
Soccer took me around the world, but Nigeria was always my home. Playing 111 games for my country is something I really respect,” he added.
Becoming the most capped player in Nigerian soccer history is a big honor. Every time I wore the jersey, I knew the responsibility that came with it.
I gave it my all, good times or bad, because playing for Nigeria was always bigger than me.
Musa played for Nigeria for 15 years, surpassing Vincent Enyeama and Joseph Yobo to become the country’s most capped international player, with 111 appearances.
The former Leicester City and CSKA Moscow forward played a big part in Nigeria’s 2013 Africa Cup of Nations victory and is also Nigeria’s top goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history.
There are moments I’ll never forget. Winning the 2013 AFCON is one. The team showed what it meant to play for Nigeria, he said.
Scoring at the World Cup, against Argentina and Iceland, are memories I’ll always have. Scoring four goals at the World Cup and being Nigeria’s top scorer there is something I’m thankful for.
Being captain of the Super Eagles was another important part of my time. Wearing the armband taught me about responsibility, patience, and putting others first.
It wasn't about being in charge but about helping the team, supporting younger players, and standing up for the team. Even when things were tough, my commitment to Nigeria never changed.
Soccer gave me a career, but Nigeria gave me purpose. To my teammates, coaches, staff, and administrators over the years, thank you for believing in me.
To the fans at home and abroad, in the stadium and watching on TV, your support meant everything. As I leave international soccer, I do so knowing I gave my best.
I know the Super Eagles will keep moving forward. And I know this bond will never break. Once an Eagle, always an Eagle.
THOMAS TUCHEL NAMES EXPANDED ENGLAND SQUAD FEATURING FOUR SURPRISE NEW INCLUSIONS
Thomas Tuchel hands maiden England call-ups to James Garner and Jason Steele while omitting Trent Alexander-Arnold.
James Garner from Everton and Brighton’s goalkeeper Jason Steele have earned their first call-ups to the England squad. Alongside them, AC Milan’s defender Fikayo Tomori and Tottenham’s forward Dominic Solanke have also been included. However, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Luke Shaw did not make the cut this time.
Jude Bellingham, despite being sidelined since early February due to a hamstring injury, is still part of the squad. Experienced centre-back Harry Maguire, now 33, has the chance to add to his 64 caps, while 20-year-old Kobbie Mainoo, who started in the Euro 2024 final, is also selected. Both last represented England in September 2024 but have been rewarded for Manchester United’s recent good form, which has lifted them to third place in the Premier League.
Luke Shaw, pushing for inclusion, has been overlooked once again. Instead, Tuchel has called up Newcastle’s Lewis Hall, marking his first call-up since Tuchel took over.
This squad is larger than usual, with players arriving in two phases during the international window. Tuchel explained on the Football Association’s website that the first group includes players who haven’t played much recently, aiming to broaden competition for spots in the upcoming US tour. Then, from Friday to Saturday, another group will join, including some who’ve had a short rest, to mix things up for the match against Japan.
England will face Uruguay at Wembley on March 27, followed by a home game against Japan on March 31. Looking ahead, the World Cup kicks off on June 11 in Canada, Mexico, and the United States, with England considered among the contenders.
Here’s the full squad breakdown:
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), James Trafford (Manchester City), Aaron Ramsdale (Newcastle), Jason Steele (Brighton)
Defenders: Dan Burn (Newcastle), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Lewis Hall (Newcastle), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Tino Livramento (Newcastle), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Nico O’Reilly (Manchester City), Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), Djed Spence (Tottenham), John Stones (Manchester City), Fikayo Tomori (AC Milan)
Midfielders: Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), James Garner (Everton), Jordan Henderson (Brentford), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa), Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace)
Forwards: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Leeds), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Noni Madueke (Arsenal), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Marcus Rashford (Barcelona), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Dominic Solanke (Tottenham)
WHY CAF STRIPPED SENEGAL OF THEIR AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS TITLE
Following a final walk-off, Senegal has lost its AFCON trophy in the boardroom, prompting an appeal to CAS by the FSF.
Moussa Niakhate finally spoke out after the Confederation of African Football’s shocking decision to take Senegal’s Africa Cup of Nations trophy away. After that wild walk-off in the final against Morocco, CAF backed an appeal and handed the host nation a 3-0 win by default. Senegalese players were furious; who wouldn’t be?
The boardroom decision completely flipped African football on its head. Two months after the final, the CAF Appeal Board tossed out Senegal’s victory and gave Morocco the win. It all started deep into stoppage time when VAR gave Morocco a penalty. Pape Thiaw, Senegal’s manager, lost it and told his players to leave the field. Eventually, they came back and finished the match. Still, officials said the walk-off broke tournament rules, so they took the title away. Brutal.
Niakhate, the 30-year-old defender who was key in Senegal’s backline, got asked about it before Lyon’s Europa League match with Celta. He’d already posted a photo with his medal and the trophy right after the ruling. He made it clear: nothing a boardroom says can erase what happened on the pitch. He said, “Out of respect for the club and with the crucial match in mind, I don’t want to go into too much detail. You saw my reaction on social media; it’s the same today. What I can say is that nothing has changed for me compared to what we went through in January. I’ll have time to talk about it again in due course; for now, I’m going to stay focused on Lyon.”
That final in Rabat was pure chaos, even before Senegal won 1-0 on the field. Most players followed Thiaw down the tunnel, but Sadio Mane stayed, urging his teammates to come back. Brahim Diaz took the penalty but tried a Panenka, and Edouard Mendy caught it easily. The game went to extra time, Papa Gueye scored, and Senegal thought they were champions again. It didn't matter; the walk-off cost them everything. The committee called it a 3-0 forfeit.
It’s harsh for a team that believed they’d gone back-to-back. Niakhate, who started six out of seven games, is now focusing on Lyon’s European campaign. Still, that boardroom drama isn’t going away, not with the international break coming up. Senegal’s already planning to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
