TheCable

Ahmed Musa, Super Eagles captain and CSKA Moscow of Russia star, says he is very happy that surprise English Premier League leaders Leicester City were interested in him, even if the deal did not materialise.

Musa was widely expected to make the move to England, but CSKA Moscow blocked it.

Speaking with TheCable on Tuesday from his Russia base, Musa said he had no complaints, as he could not dictate to his club.

“I feel very happy that a club in England came looking for me but I am not the one to dictate to my club,” he said.

“They are the ones who know the reason for turning them down. So, I have to keep playing for my club here in Russia and keep praying to see what will happen in the summer.

“For now, I am very okay where I am. I am very happy playing in Russia. If a move to England works, fine it’s okay with me. And if it does not come, I don’t have to rush. God’s time, which is the best, is what i’ll wait for.”

Musa opposed the decision of the country’s football administrators to pay bonuses and allowances into players’ personal accounts, but said he could live with it.

“It is not the best of arrangement for us. You know that‎ me and most of my players don’t live in Nigeria. Most of us live abroad. So, there’s no way you’ll say you’ll pay players money into their accounts. It’s not the best but it’ll be fine,” he said.

He expressed confidence in the ability of the Super Eagles to qualify for the 2017 African Cup of Nations 2017 despite the threat of current group leaders, Egypt team.

“For us the players, we know the importance of the game,” he said.

“We know that it’s not going to be an easy game for us‎, but you don’t write the Eagles off. We have to work very hard and play very well from the blast of the whistle till the end of the 90 minutes.

“I have the confidence that‎ we have a team that can qualify Nigeria to AFCON 2017 with the expertise of a sound coach and his crew. We know the importance of the game. We are fully aware that we did not go to the last AFCON and we were not very happy with that. Now, we have to do everything to ensure that we are in the next edition.”

Musa was chosen to replace former captain Vincent Enyeama despite criticisms that he is too young and that there are more experienced players in the team.

But speaking on his new responsibilities, he said: “It is a bit tough for me but I am praying to God to give me the strength to go on with it.

“There are challenges, but like I said, I am looking up to God to help me cope with them for the good of the team.”

Ahmed Musa, now with 11 goals in 56 international games for the Super Eagles since debuting in 2010, admitted that the Super Eagles miss ex-Captain Vincent Enyeama, even if it must continue from where the goalkeeper stopped.

“We miss Enyeama but we have to remain focused because ‎we have some crucial games to play. We miss him,” he said.

“We are happy for his contributions over the years to the Super Eagles and we will continue to make him proud by achieving good results now that he is no longer with us.”