Ahmed Musa’s decision to return to Kano Pillars has brought fresh excitement to the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL). The Super Eagles forward, who has played for top European clubs like Leicester City and CSKA Moscow, rejoined his former NPFL club in October, and his impressive performances have inspired other top Nigerian players to consider playing in the local league.
Since his return, Musa has been in fantastic form, scoring three goals and providing two assists in four appearances. His standout performances include a brace against Sunshine Stars and a crucial goal in Kano Pillars’ thrilling 4-3 victory over Enugu Rangers. His contributions have helped Kano Pillars perform well in the league and have drawn praise from fans and experts alike.
Musa’s return is already having a ripple effect, as other Nigerian players, including Shehu Abdullahi, have followed in his footsteps. Brown Ideye, another former Super Eagles striker, is also set to join the NPFL club Rivers United. Ideye, who has had a successful career in Europe, started training with Rivers United, and their coach, Finidi George, confirmed that he is likely to sign with the club soon.
Current Super Eagles players are also showing interest in the NPFL. Alex Iwobi expressed his desire to join Kano Pillars if he were to play in Nigeria, while Maduka Okoye, another key Super Eagles player, said he would like to play for Enugu Rangers, a club close to his heart. Other players like Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Frank Onyeka have also revealed their preferred NPFL clubs.
In the past, Nigerian football legends like Rashidi Yekini and Okechukwu Uche returned to the NPFL after their time in European leagues, and now, Musa is leading a new wave of players back to the domestic league. This trend is expected to increase the quality of football in the NPFL, raise its profile, and attract more fans to local matches.
Ahmed Musa’s return is seen as a positive development for Nigerian football. Experts like Ahmed Omale, assistant coach of Yaba FC, have praised his decision, saying it will boost the league’s reputation both in Africa and globally. Omale compared Musa’s move to Brazilian stars like Ronaldinho and Marcelo, who returned to their domestic leagues after successful careers abroad.
Musa’s decision to return is not just about playing football; it’s about giving back to the country that helped shape his career. His presence in the NPFL is expected to inspire young players and elevate the overall quality of the league. It also shows that the NPFL is growing and can now attract top players who have excelled abroad.
With top players like Ahmed Musa and Brown Ideye returning to the NPFL, the future looks bright for Nigerian football. The league is gaining more attention, and the involvement of these stars will only make it stronger and more competitive, benefiting both players and fans.
