Why I Didn’t Shake Kano Governor’s Hands – Ahmed Musa

Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa has said he refused to shake the hands of Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State, in a recent video, out of respect for him and his office. Musa said this in a statement via his Instagram page on Tuesday amid a social media storm surrounding a viral video showing his refusal to shake the Kano governor. In the video, the footballer was seen shaking hands with the Kano State deputy governor while bowing to the governor and seemingly ignoring his handshake. In the statement, Musa described his action as a sign of cultural respect while calling for a shift in attention towards the pressing issues facing the nation. The Super Eagles captain asserted that the significance behind his gestures emphasised the deep-rooted traditions of the Northern culture. He, however, expressed disappointment that the incident has garnered such widespread attention, even from national media outlets, diverting focus from more pressing matters facing the country. Musa urged Nigerians to redirect their energy towards finding solutions to the nation’s problems rather than getting caught up in needless distractions. He said: “It has come to my attention that a moment captured almost a month ago, has unexpectedly become the centre of attention on social media. It is disheartening to see a simple act of cultural respect blown out of proportion. “In our Northern culture, the gesture of kneeling, shaking hands, etc. signifies the highest form of respect. This was my intention when I greeted the deputy governor in such a manner. “However, when it came to greeting the governor, I chose to bow and not shake his hands, honouring him in a way that is deeply rooted in tradition. “It’s unfortunate that amidst all the pressing issues our nation faces – economic hardships, security challenges, religious clashes, and more – this seemingly insignificant moment has garnered so much attention. “What’s even more disheartening are the comments questioning my respectfulness, especially from those who don’t know me personally. “Let’s pause for a moment and reflect on where we choose to direct our energy. Shouldn’t it be towards finding solutions to the problems plaguing our society rather than getting caught up in needless distractions? “I urge us all to channel our collective efforts towards addressing the real issues at hand. Let’s focus on uplifting one another, fostering unity, and working towards a better future for all.”

Eagles beat Sierra Leone 3-2, qualify for 2023 AFCON

The Super Eagles of Nigeria on Sunday qualified for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations after beating Sierra Leone 2-3 in Monrovia, Liberia. The three-time African champions picked the ticket after defeating the Lone Stars at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium with one game to spare. A stoppage-time tap-in from Kelechi Iheanacho was the most important goal in a match where the Super Eagles surrendered a two-goal lead. Jose Peseiro started the match with the attacking trio of in-form Victor Osimhen, Samuel Chukwueze, and Moses Simon. He also preferred the backline paring over Kenneth Omeruo and Semilore Ajayi as Willam Troost-Ekong was benched. The Eagles showed their intent in the early minutes of the game when Osimhen’s header was only stopped by Ibrahim Sesay, Sierra Loanean’s goalkeeper. A few minutes later, Chukwueze fired high and wide from the edge of the box after he was teed up. He then scuffed a bigger opportunity after Osimhen wrestled the ball off a defender to set him face-to-face with Sesay. Shortly, the early pressure paid for Nigeria as Osimhen pounced on a long ball and executed a perfect lob over the on-rushing Sesay, who watched as the strike sailed into the empty net. The Napoli striker doubled the lead in the 32nd minute after he was sent through on goal by a cute pass by Joe Aribo. With a well-executed assist from Ahmed Musa, Osimhen capitalized on the defense’s neglect and unleashed a magnificent left-footed strike, further cementing the Super Eagles’ advantage. Osimhen’s brace also propelled him to the top of the scorer rankings with seven goals, surpassing Sadio Mané. Mustapha Bundu restored hope for the Leone Stars when he struck from the edge of the box to reduce the deficit just before the break. Sierra Leone emerged from half-time with renewed determination, launching relentless attacks on the Nigerian camp. Their efforts bore fruit as Augustus Kargbo equalized, leveling the score at 2-2. The momentum clearly favored the Sierra Leoneans, who continued to create opportunities, albeit leaving gaps for the ever-vigilant Super Eagles. In the end, it was Kelechi Iheanacho who seized the moment, securing Nigeria’s qualification with a crucial goal. This result also guarantees qualification for Guinea-Bissau.