Rohr: Musa is non playing captain in 2022 AFCON qualifiers

Nigeria captain Ahmed Musa will not be involved in the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Benin Republic and Lesotho later this month, according to gaffer, Gernot Rohr, BSNSports.com.ng gathered. Musa’s inclusion in the 24-man team had generated controversy among Nigerian football fans following his clubless status since he left Saudi Arabia Pro League side, Al-Nassr last October and Rohr says he is not unmindful of his captain’s status. ”It’s important to clarify that Musa is not in the competitive list of 23 players for our game against Benin and Lesotho,” Rohr told BBC Sport Africa on Wednesday. “We’ve invited Musa as the captain by making him the 24th player, but he is not as part of the 23 on the list that will play our two matches. “What is important now is to focus on the games ahead and not to be distracted by anything else. We hope for all our players to be fit and travel down safely for the matches,” Rohr further said. Musa featured just twice for Al-Nassr FC in the on-going 2020/21 season to bring his total number to 57 games across three seasons. He scored 11 goals and bagged 14 assists. The former Leicester City star played for only four minutes when Nigeria defeated Benin Republic 2-1 in the first leg of the group L game at the Godswill Akpabio stadium in Uyo in November 2019, replacing Victor Osimhen while he was on for 24 minutes in the tie against the Crocodiles of Lesotho away at the Setsoto Stadium in Maseru same month. Overall Musa has made 87 appearances for the Super Eagles and has scored 15 times and bagged 13 assists.