Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa is currently a free agent after parting ways with Turkish topflight side Sivasspor.
The 31-year-old joined Sivasspor in September 2022 but was restricted with very little game time during his 18-month spell with the club.
In the ongoing 2023/24 season, Musa made just four appearances for the club in all competitions before joining Nigeria for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2024) in Ivory Coast.
The forward, however, endured a reduced role in the Super Eagles squad too, with William Troost-Ekong captaining the side throughout the tournament.
Musa was on the bench for all seven games at the AFCON as Jose Peseiro’s side were beaten 2-1 in the final by hosts Ivory Coast.
Why Ahmed Musa terminated contract with Sivasspor
According to a report by Owngoalnigeria, Musa initiated the termination of his contract after deciding to leave the Turkish topflight.
It turns out that the Super Eagles veteran is owed six months wages by the club.
The former Leicester City and CSKA Moscow forward joined Sivasspor on a free transfer after departing fellow Turkish side Fatih Karagümrük.
Musa’s first season at Sivasspor was decent, having made 24 appearances for the club without scoring any goals.
However, his second season didn’t go according to plan, with the 31-year-old struggling for game time. He only made just four appearances (two in the league and two in the Turkish Cup) before terminating his contract with the club.
What does this mean for Musa’s Super Eagles future?
Musa’s peripheral role in the national team is a sign that his international career is gradually reaching its end. His call-up for the AFCON divided opinion among Nigerians, with some insisting he didn’t deserve to be there.
The forward’s free-agent status now makes it more difficult to see him returning to the Super Eagles any time soon, especially if he continues to be inactive at the club level.
However, retirement seems far from Musa, who previously stated that he was aiming to feature at another World Cup with Nigeria after playing in the 2014 and 2018 tournaments.
“I hope to be back soon for the World Cup qualifiers. It’s my dream to play in another World Cup. I believe we have a squad that is equally determined to qualify,” he told the BBC in January 2022.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is only two years away and with Musa being just 31, it’s fair to say age is on his side. However, it remains to be seen whether he’ll find a club and return to playing actively at the top level to be considered for a Super Eagles call-up.
