Ahmed Musa: Eagles want to win big
Ahmed Musa, Eagles and CSKA Moscow ace
Ejide thrilled | Eagles battle
CSKA Moscow winger
Ahmed Musa wants the Super Eagles to beat Namibia convincingly on Sunday in a 2014
World Cup qualifier in Calabar.
The jet-heeled Musa will also speak on his debut season in Russia in this interview with MTNFootball.com
The jet-heeled Musa will also speak on his debut season in Russia in this interview with MTNFootball.com
The Interview:
MTNFootball.com: Nigeria is playing Namibia this weekend in World cup qualifier this weekend, what should Nigerians expect?
Ahmed Musa: Victory, that is what Nigerians want and we the players too. We know the importance of this game in our quest to qualify for 2014 FIFA World cup.
How is the weather in Calabar?
It is good. Though hot compared to where we are coming from but we are coping well and that won't stop us from beating Namibia.
You are in camp with some players for the first time, what can you say about that?
It has been fun. We are all here for a common goal which is to play for Nigeria and win. We are getting along very well. Everybody here is a professional and in everything there is always a first time.
What can you say about coach Stephen Keshi and his predecessor Samson Siasia?
There is no reason to compare them. Both of them are fathers to the players, they have played the game to the highest level and are qualified coach. I enjoyed
working with Siasia and I am now enjoying myself under coach Stephen Keshi.
What then do you expect from Nigerians on Sunday?
I am calling on them to support us, pray for us as we will do our best to make them happy by beating Namibia silly on Sunday.
Okay. Let’s review your first season in Russia with CSKA. How was it for you?
Though I would not want to rate myself but as far as I am concerned, it was a very good season for me. I am happy with my performance for CSKA.
How then would you compare the Dutch league and Russia league?
They are two different leagues and both are of good quality but the only difference is that there are fewer fans at stadiums in Russia compared to what we have in Holland.
They watch football a lot in Holland but I believe Russia will get there in that aspect, apart from that not much difference.
What do you miss most about your former club VVV Venlo?
I miss the fans. They love me a lot and always encouraged me to want to do more. I miss my team mates too but not as much as I miss the fans.
You scored many goals in Holland and when you were in Nigeria, but you only scored once in Russia, what do you think is responsible for this?
No problem about that. I am new in Russia so I tried to adapt to the system and weather, but with more time next season, I will score more goals to help my team.
You played against one of your idols Cristiano Ronaldo in a UEFA Champions League tie earlier this year. How was the experience?
I felt very great and honoured to play against Ronaldo. It was a great feeling coming face-to-face with one of the best players in the world.
You played in UEFA Champions League last term and now you are to feature in Europa League next season, what do you have to say to that?
Though we wanted a Champions League ticket but it was not to be, that is football for you, sometimes you play at big stage and at times you slip to a lower competition.
The Europa League too is not a bad competition, big teams too will feature there, so no bad feelings. We will do our best to win it.
Which game was your best for CSKA?
That was the Champions League game against Real Madrid. I played very well in both legs and people commended me afterwards.
And what are your targets next season?
To win the Russian League as well as the Europa League. I also want to score a lot more goals. Any additional honours to this will be appreciated.
What do you mean by additional honours?
Like the Russian Cup and top goals scorer award.
Which was your toughest game?
It was the game against Real Madrid. It was very tough playing against one of the best teams in the world as they really proved themselves against us.
How good is your Russian now?
Not good. I can only say a few things in Russian but with time I hope to understand the language.
How often do you see other Nigerian players in Russia?
We only meet when we play games but we speak on phone because I am an indoor person. I prefer staying indoors to play video game.
Who is your best friend in Russia?
That will be Sekou Oliseh. He is more than a friend to me, he’s a brother.
MTNFootball.com: Nigeria is playing Namibia this weekend in World cup qualifier this weekend, what should Nigerians expect?
Ahmed Musa: Victory, that is what Nigerians want and we the players too. We know the importance of this game in our quest to qualify for 2014 FIFA World cup.
How is the weather in Calabar?
It is good. Though hot compared to where we are coming from but we are coping well and that won't stop us from beating Namibia.
You are in camp with some players for the first time, what can you say about that?
It has been fun. We are all here for a common goal which is to play for Nigeria and win. We are getting along very well. Everybody here is a professional and in everything there is always a first time.
What can you say about coach Stephen Keshi and his predecessor Samson Siasia?
There is no reason to compare them. Both of them are fathers to the players, they have played the game to the highest level and are qualified coach. I enjoyed
working with Siasia and I am now enjoying myself under coach Stephen Keshi.
What then do you expect from Nigerians on Sunday?
I am calling on them to support us, pray for us as we will do our best to make them happy by beating Namibia silly on Sunday.
Okay. Let’s review your first season in Russia with CSKA. How was it for you?
Though I would not want to rate myself but as far as I am concerned, it was a very good season for me. I am happy with my performance for CSKA.
How then would you compare the Dutch league and Russia league?
They are two different leagues and both are of good quality but the only difference is that there are fewer fans at stadiums in Russia compared to what we have in Holland.
They watch football a lot in Holland but I believe Russia will get there in that aspect, apart from that not much difference.
What do you miss most about your former club VVV Venlo?
I miss the fans. They love me a lot and always encouraged me to want to do more. I miss my team mates too but not as much as I miss the fans.
You scored many goals in Holland and when you were in Nigeria, but you only scored once in Russia, what do you think is responsible for this?
No problem about that. I am new in Russia so I tried to adapt to the system and weather, but with more time next season, I will score more goals to help my team.
You played against one of your idols Cristiano Ronaldo in a UEFA Champions League tie earlier this year. How was the experience?
I felt very great and honoured to play against Ronaldo. It was a great feeling coming face-to-face with one of the best players in the world.
You played in UEFA Champions League last term and now you are to feature in Europa League next season, what do you have to say to that?
Though we wanted a Champions League ticket but it was not to be, that is football for you, sometimes you play at big stage and at times you slip to a lower competition.
The Europa League too is not a bad competition, big teams too will feature there, so no bad feelings. We will do our best to win it.
Which game was your best for CSKA?
That was the Champions League game against Real Madrid. I played very well in both legs and people commended me afterwards.
And what are your targets next season?
To win the Russian League as well as the Europa League. I also want to score a lot more goals. Any additional honours to this will be appreciated.
What do you mean by additional honours?
Like the Russian Cup and top goals scorer award.
Which was your toughest game?
It was the game against Real Madrid. It was very tough playing against one of the best teams in the world as they really proved themselves against us.
How good is your Russian now?
Not good. I can only say a few things in Russian but with time I hope to understand the language.
How often do you see other Nigerian players in Russia?
We only meet when we play games but we speak on phone because I am an indoor person. I prefer staying indoors to play video game.
Who is your best friend in Russia?
That will be Sekou Oliseh. He is more than a friend to me, he’s a brother.
Musa,great player.Good luck.
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