Nigerian Football
Former Eaglet, Muhammed hits centennial with Croatian Club, Gorica
Former Golden Eaglets captain Musa Muhammed is yearning for more accolades after hitting a landmark 100 caps in the with HNK Gorica last weekend.
The 25-year-old Muhammed who led the national Under-17 to World Cup glory in the United Arab Emirates in 2013, has been a defensive mainstay for the Croatian side following his transfer from Turkish Super Lig side Basaksehir FK in 2018.
Though he has a running contract till May 2022, the pacy defender who also led the Flying Eagles to win the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in 2015, said he was thrilled with his latest achievement, adding he’s still in his good elements to carry on playing for both club and country.
“It has been a long journey and I’m super excited after playing my hundredth game for Gorica just last weekend, “ Muhammed said.“ But I’m still looking forward to doing more for the club if I’m given the opportunity.”
Muhammed is one of the fledges who blossomed under coach Manu Garba at youth international level but has yet to make a splash at full international with few caps shockingly yet with the Super Eagles.
“ Like I said, I’m always ready to do more if given the opportunity whether at club or country level,” the Kano-born Muhammed who captained the Super Eagles B against Atletico Madrid in 2018.
“ I put all my efforts when I’m on the field; and I want to carry on playing for Gorica if given the chance ; and I can say the same for the Eagles if given the opportunity.”
Coach Garba equally asked for Muhammed’s inclusion in Eagles : “The right back have been one of Super Eagles’ weakling as most of the players that plays there aren’t as good as Musa Mohammed. I remembered the last time he was invited to play in Uyo for the Super Eagles against Atletico Madrid and he did extremely well but since then he has not been given invitation.”
Remo Stars on Saturday made it two straight wins in the Nigeria Premier League after labouring to a 1-0 defeat of Sunshine Stars of Akure to follow-up their last weekend 2-0 away win over Abia Warriors.
On Saturday, under eight minutes they shot ahead through Shuaibu Ibrahim. That was where the story ended as Sunshine Stars came up strongly and almost stalemated scores.
The win, though narrow, is enough to temporarily take Remo Stars to the top of the log after two games.
They are followed by Rivers United who beat Heartland 3-1. It is the second consecutive 3-1 loss that Heartland are getting in the two-week old season.
The situation could change on Sunday when other matches are played.
On the card are: Akwa United hosting Abia Warriors while Kano Pillars will be away to Bayelsa United.
Katsina United host Bendel Insurance and Niger Tornadoes will be home to Nasarawa United. Shooting Stars will host Plateau United.
BY KUNLE SOLAJA, who was in Arnhem, Netherlands.
Former Nigeria manager, Clemens Westerhof has recommended one of his former players, Samson Siasia as the substantial coach for the Super Eagles.
Siasia was one of his players of the famed golden generation of the Super Eagles.
“I called him last month to greet him for his birthday and also to celebrate with him for the end of his five-year ban”, Westerhof told Sports Village Square at his house in Arnhem in the Netherlands.
According to him, Siasia is just like Keshi and that he has the capacity to turn the Super Eagles around for the better. Westerhof, the author of the famed ‘Golden Generation’ of the Super Eagles made his suggestion shortly after Germany’s Bruce Labbadia turned down the Nigerian job offer.
Westerhof remarked that he was surprised about the choice of Labbadia in the first instance and that the now Mali coach, Tom Saintfiet who is his friend could have been a better choice.
Saintfiet, a Belgian, was speculated among the coaches initially short-listed for the Super Eagles’ job. But Westerhof, before the naming of Austin Eguavoen, another member of his famous 1994 squad, strongly back Siasia for the job.
He remarked that he was in touch with the former striker as well as Austin Okocha whom he met with in London recently.
To Westerhof, Siasia has the same quality like Stephen Keshi to handle the Super Eagles. “He has done it before and I think he can still do it.”
The balls hit the nets 17 times this Sunday as the Nigeria Premier League Season 2024/25 burst into life this Sunday.
The first of the goals was from Plateau United’s Olawale Doyeni who converted a 24th minute penalty kick against Katsina United in an eventual 1-0 home win.
Another star-man of the the day is Enyimba’s Clinton Jephta who has become the season’s first hat-trickster. His three goals in the 65th , 70th and 73rd minutes sank heartland 3-1 in their home match.
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