SIR: The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) recently submitted 41 names as provisional squad to partake in African biggest competition – the African Cup of Nations taking place in Ivory Coast, January 2024. However the inclusion of the Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa has sparked reactions and generated heated debates as football lovers, analysts and spectators took social media platforms express their views on the football federation’s stand.

The reactions are not surprisingly mixed. While some football commentators see the presence of the Jos-based striker as adding no value to the Super Eagles team’s quest citing age, physicality and playing time as reasons, others applaud the decision.

Whoever understands the trend, history and other issues surrounding Nigerian football would no doubt have lauded the choice of the longest serving player in the history of Super Eagles. Musa as the most capped Nigerian footballer has good knowledge of most of the teams we shall face at AFCON 2024. His stay in Super Eagles will help the Nigerian team with all the needed information on tactics and plans to emerge victorious.

Having captained the team in the past, Musa’s leadership qualities are without question. He may not necessarily start in any game but surely will be helpful during training and pep talk in the dressing room.

Nigerians might wish to recall that in the last two AFCON outings that Nigeria won, our captains were not even starters in the game: Stephen Keshi in Tunisia 1994 and Joseph Yobo in South Africa 2013. But they understood the expectations of Nigerians and were best placed to advice the players. Musa is a very big name in the game. He has won lots of titles including AFCON Cup. His presence alone can make big difference; he is full of creativity, speed and as a selfless player, he could be counted upon to help the team to perform.

Nigerians as a whole and football lovers in particular should learn to support and respect our big stars who have put in their efforts and sacrifices for the betterment of the national team. We must stop all the sentiments, propaganda and distractions and give room for those experienced players who are willing to support the Super Eagles to contribute. We have in the past lost important players to uninformed sentiments. Good luck to the Super Eagles! (The Nation)

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