Following the disruptions of COVID-19, the professional sports scene in Nigeria has been mum to say the least but things are looking on the bright side with Premier League action set to resume on May 5th. It will be the cumulation of a long road back to activity after last year’s disappointment and interruption.
Given that not much is going around these days other than having the best betting sites ready for when action resumes and for some red hot entertainment coming up in the UFC as Nigerian champion Kamaru Usman looks to put Jorge Masvidalout of his misery and behind him in what will be their second match in the octagon. Usman was the winner last time out and has been a dominant champion so far. Cameroonian and heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou, has said he will be in Usman’s corner for the match, in what is sure to be a blockbuster. The UFC has three African-born champions on their books, including the middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya.
But let’s take a look at football and the domestic news.
AHMED MUSA RETURNS TO NIGERIA, SIGNS FOR DOMESTIC CLUB
Nigerian striker and national team captain Ahmed Musa, has returned to the motherland after his contract with Qatari side Al Nassr came to an end. The coronavirus brought a halt to many leagues across the globe, including the Qatari league where Musa did not have a fair opportunity to show his quality, but in all honesty his time beyond the shores of his country may be at an end. His career has come full circle, as he returns to the club where it all began for him. It was in 2010, that Musa left his first ever pro club, Kano Pillars to join the Eredivisie via VVV Venlo. Two years in the Netherlands would convince Russian giants CSKA Moscow to sign the young winger for €5,000,000. In Russia, all of Musa’s talent will come to light and he would solidify his place in the public eye. In 2014, Musa would shine an even bigger spotlight on himself when he put two goals past Argentina in the 2014 World Cup.
English champions Leicester, would be piqued and they would cough up €15 million for the budding and in-demand forward. Musa’s time at Leicester would not yield the expected result and he was shipped back to Moscow on a loan deal before the English club cashed in on him with a €16 million sale to Al Nassr. Two years at the Qatari club were not enough to convince them of a new contract, and in a year so financially impacted, the team let go of the 28-year old who has now returned to his country and first club, to lend his experience, voice and leadership. Musa’s addition to the Pillars has been a big boost to the club who have already praised his maturity and commitment to the club’s vision and spirit.
The league commences on May 5th, with the Kano Pillars taking on Enyimba FC.
