Is Ahmed Musa Nigeria’s best Winger of all time?
Without doubt, it’s a valid question, and there are many reasons to consider which could see Musa rank prominently among the echelon.
Nigeria has produced very fine wing players over the years, however, only a few have really stood out in their careers and even more so in the National team.
Finidi George won the UEFA Champions League & Nations Cup, and played in the Netherlands, Spain and England at the peak of his career.
Before Finidi, the teeming fans in the football crazed Nation had sang praises of Segun Odegbami and in latter years Tijani Babangida and Emmanuel Amunike.
There seemed to be a rich number of Left-footed wingers, but not too many with the ability to use both feet.
Most were also runners, speedsters; who caused defenders problems, but they were not particularly skilled in the art of crossing the ball, a Hallmark of wing or side players.
In recent times, Musa shared the spot light with Victor Moses, Henry Onyekuru, Moses Simon and even Samuel Chukwueze.
However, perhaps only Victor Moses would standout as the competition for Musa, but because the former was ambidextrous, in 2018 both would start games for Nigeria at the FIFA World Cup.
Meanwhile, five years prior, Musa was on the bench while Moses played primarily on the left side of attack as an inverted WF under Stephen Keshi.
Also, Musa was down the perking order, only second behind Moses.
Yet one area where Musa seem to edge the rest, bar Segun Odegbami; and chiefly, in the national team is with his goalscoring and longevity.
The only winger who has a better goal ratio than Musa is the former Green Eagles captain, Odegbami, who scored 22goals in 47appearances.
In contrast, Musa, Nigeria’s all-time most capped player (107) has managed 16goals, yet he’s T6 for goals.
His record (4 goals) at the FIFA World Cup is the best by a Nigerian.
But, their stats don’t show assists, hence there’s no credible source to ascertain the full extent of their goals contribution.
Regardless, the Super Eagles has seen the emergency of several gifted wing men, indeed, the three-time African champions built their success on the strength of wing play and in the three eras when they were the Continent’s best; 1980, 1994 and 2013, the wingers proved crucial.
Who would you consider the best Wing Player the Super Eagles has ever produced?
