Ahmed Musa determined to win his final Nations Cup

Nigeria captain Ahmed Musa has confirmed that the tournament in Cameroon will be his last Africa Cup of Nations for the Super Eagles.

However, the 29-year-old, his country’s most-capped international, has his sights set on a World Cup finale in Qatar later this year.

Before that he is hoping to end his final appearance at the continental showpiece event on a high, like his first in 2013.

Ahmed Musa is the highest scoring Nigerian in World Cup history. The only Nigerian to ever score a brace at the WC, he did it twice (2014 & 2018).

Musa is a legend! #TeamNigeria pic.twitter.com/nJJ1O0lTJn

— Chukwuemeka (@ChuxEkere) January 9, 2022

“It’s something that I have really thought about and I feel blessed to say this will be my final Nations Cup with Nigeria,” he told BBC Sport Africa.

“What is important is to try to give my best and try to win it for my country. The players are fully aware of my plans and we have a squad good enough to win it again.

“It [the tournament in Cameroon] looks just like my first one in 2013 when no one gave us a chance, but we ended up as champions of Africa.

“I would like for the story of my Nations Cup to end very well like the first by winning it.”

Nigeria begin their 2021 Nations Cup Group D campaign against seven-time champions Egypt on Tuesday (19:00 EAT) 

Fatih Karagumruk forward Musa is Nigeria’s most-capped player in history, having played 102 matches since his debut aged just 17 in 2010.

Ahmed Musa: “We know what we can do, if we give our best we know that we can win the tournament.”

1 Day Until #AFCON2021 #TeamNigeria pic.twitter.com/4AFh1VTgnD

— Home of Nigerian Footballers (@EaglesTrackerNG) January 8, 2022

He helped the Super Eagles win the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and played for them at the last two World Cups.

Musa netted twice at both the 2014 and 2018 tournaments, making him his country’s top World Cup goalscorer.

Along with his determination to play a part in Nigeria’s quest for a fourth Nations Cup title, the former Kano Pillars, Leicester City and CSKA Moscow winger is hoping to appear at this year’s global event in Qatar.

Nigeria are yet to discover who they will face in March’s play-offs for a spot at the tournament.

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