Ahmed Musa is one of the most iconic figures in modern Nigerian football, a lightning-quick winger and long-serving captain who became the Super Eagles’ record cap holder. The first Nigerian to score twice in a World Cup match and to score at two World Cups, he starred in Russia, England and Saudi Arabia before returning home to Kano Pillars.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ahmed Musa |
| Nationality | Nigeria |
| Date of Birth | 14 October 1992 |
| Latest club | Kano Pillars |
| League | NPFL (NGA) |
| Position | Winger |
| Market value | €350k |
Playing style: Blistering pace and directness
Musa built his career on explosive speed, running at defences and stretching games with his movement in behind.
- ⚡ Pace: One of the quickest players Nigeria has produced, devastating in transition.
- 🏃 Directness: Loves to run in behind and attack the space.
- 🎯 Big-game scorer: Delivered memorable goals on the World Cup stage.
- 🔋 Energy: Tireless work rate up and down the flank.
- 🎖️ Leadership: A long-serving captain and mentor for the national team.
Career: From Jos to Europe and back home
Musa’s career took him from the Nigerian league to Russia, England and Saudi Arabia before a return to where it began.
Breakthrough and European stardom
Musa emerged with Kano Pillars in the Nigerian league before moving to VVV-Venlo in the Netherlands, where his goals earned a transfer to CSKA Moscow. At CSKA he won multiple Russian league titles and became one of Africa’s most exciting wingers.
In 2016 he joined Leicester City for a club-record fee for a Nigerian at the time, testing himself in the Premier League with the reigning English champions before returning to CSKA on loan.
Saudi Arabia and a homecoming
Musa moved to Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia and later played in Turkey with Fatih Karagümrük and Sivasspor. He then returned to Kano Pillars, where he now plays while also serving as the club’s team manager.
At Kano Pillars he continues to contribute to Nigerian domestic football, combining his playing role with a leadership position at the club where he first made his name.
| Team (Appea.) | Goals |
|---|---|
| VVV-Venlo (70) | 25 |
| CSKA Moscow (140) | 45 |
| Leicester City (44) | 5 |
| Al-Nassr (55) | 20 |
International career: A Super Eagles record-breaker
Musa is Nigeria’s record cap holder and a long-serving captain. At the 2014 World Cup he became the first Nigerian to score twice in a single World Cup match, netting a brace against Argentina, and he repeated the feat against Iceland in 2018.
A 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner, he has represented Nigeria at multiple AFCON tournaments and World Cups across a remarkable international career, including featuring at the 2026 World Cup.
| Competition (Stage) | MP (Goal) |
|---|---|
| AFCON 2013 (Winners) | 5 (0) |
| World Cup 2014 (Group stage) | 3 (2) |
| World Cup 2018 (Group stage) | 3 (2) |
| AFCON 2019 (Third place) | 6 (1) |
Clubs journey: Netherlands, Russia, England and beyond
Musa’s career spanned the Netherlands, Russia, England, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Nigeria, with his CSKA Moscow years the peak of his club career.
A record-setting captain and World Cup goalscorer, Musa remains one of the most celebrated and influential figures in Nigerian football.
| Years | Club |
|---|---|
| 2010–2012 | VVV-Venlo |
| 2012–2016 | CSKA Moscow |
| 2016–2018 | Leicester City |
| 2018–2020 | Al-Nassr |
| 2022–2024 | Sivasspor |
| 2024–Present | Kano Pillars |