Who Is Nigeria New Head Coach?

Nigeria, one of the most successful African football nations, has recently appointed a new head coach. The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) announced the appointment of former Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa, as the national team's new head coach.

Musa's appointment comes after the resignation of Gernot Rohr, who led the team to a third-place finish at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt. In this article, we will take a closer look at who Ahmed Musa is and what he brings to the Nigerian national team as its new head coach.

Who Is Ahmed Musa?

Ahmed Musa was born on October 14, 1992, in Jos, Nigeria. He started his football career with local clubs in Jos before joining the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) side, Kano Pillars, in 2009.

Musa's impressive performances for Kano Pillars earned him a move to the Dutch Eredivisie club, VVV-Venlo, in 2010. He spent two seasons in the Netherlands before joining Russian club, CSKA Moscow, in 2012.

During his time at CSKA Moscow, Musa won three Russian Premier League titles and was named the league's Player of the Year in 2012. He also played a key role in Nigeria's successful 2013 Africa Cup of Nations campaign, scoring two goals in the final against Burkina Faso.

In 2016, Musa joined English Premier League side, Leicester City, but struggled for game time and was eventually loaned back to CSKA Moscow. He then joined Saudi Arabian side, Al-Nassr, in 2018, where he won the Saudi Professional League title in his first season.

Musa's Coaching Experience

Despite being just 28 years old, Musa has already gained some coaching experience. In 2020, he served as a player-coach at Al-Nassr, assisting the club's technical staff in training sessions and match analysis.

Musa's experience as a player and his coaching experience at Al-Nassr make him a suitable candidate for the Nigerian national team's head coach role.

Musa's Vision for the Nigerian National Team

In his first press conference as Nigeria's head coach, Musa outlined his vision for the team. He stated that his primary goal is to qualify Nigeria for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Musa also emphasized the importance of developing young Nigerian players and giving them the opportunity to play for the national team. He stated that he would work closely with the NFF to identify and develop young talent in Nigeria.

Musa's vision for the Nigerian national team is one of progress and development. He understands the challenges facing the team and is committed to addressing them.

Musa's Leadership Qualities

As a former captain of the Super Eagles, Musa has the leadership qualities required to be a successful head coach. He is a respected figure in Nigerian football and has a deep understanding of the team's culture and values.

Musa's leadership qualities will be essential in guiding Nigeria through the challenges of international football. He will need to motivate and inspire his players to perform at their best and to work together as a team.

Musa's Tactical Approach

Musa's tactical approach to coaching is still unknown. However, his experience as a player and his coaching experience at Al-Nassr suggest that he has a good understanding of the game.

Musa will need to develop a tactical approach that suits the Nigerian national team's strengths and weaknesses. He will need to identify the team's key players and build a system that allows them to perform at their best.

The Challenges Facing Musa

Musa's appointment as the Nigerian national team's head coach comes with several challenges. The team has struggled in recent years, failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup and underperforming at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

Musa will need to address the team's weaknesses and build a squad that can compete at the highest level. He will also need to manage the expectations of Nigerian football fans, who are eager for the team to succeed.

Final Thoughts

The appointment of Ahmed Musa as Nigeria's new head coach is an exciting development for Nigerian football. Musa's experience as a player and his coaching experience at Al-Nassr make him a suitable candidate for the role.

Musa's vision for the Nigerian national team is one of progress and development. He understands the challenges facing the team and is committed to addressing them. However, he will face several challenges in his new role, and only time will tell if he can lead Nigeria to success on the international stage.