Cheer your clubs at home, Ahmed Musa tells fans after pitch invasion in Kaduna

Ahmed Musa, Super Eagles captain, has advised fans of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) to adhere to the COVID-19 guidelines by “staying at home to cheer their clubs”.

Musa was reacting to fans’ invasion of the Ahmadu Bello Stadium pitch in Kaduna during Kano Pillars and Akwa United’s encounter in a statement issued via Twitter on Monday.

There was pandemonium at the stadium on Sunday after supporters of Pillars encroached on the pitch, thereby defying an order by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) that clubs at home should not allow fans into match venues — due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The drama ensued in the 87th minute when Nyima Nwagua’s goal was flagged offside by Abdul Rasheed, the assistant referee from Kwara state, and then upheld by Adebimpe Quadri, the center man from Lagos.

Due to the invasion, the League Management Company (LMC) had also suspended the match — only to reschedule it for Monday (8 am).

In the statement, the 28-year-old, who linked up with the Kano-based side in April, also called on all football stakeholders in the nation to unite for the betterment of the round leather game.

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— Ahmed Musa (MON) (OON) (@Ahmedmusa718) June 14, 2021

“It is disheartening to write this but unfortunately, it has to be said. In a bid to be patriotic or represent our home country, some of us decided to play for the league with pleasure,” the statement read.

“In as much as I commend officials who handle games in the leagues across Nigeria, it is imperative to add that a lot still needs to be done to keep our football growing to the heights it deserves.

“There are a lot of areas that need to be worked on so that players can be at their optimal best and play football as it should be in accordance with the laws of the game where fair play is enshrined by all and sundry.

“It is time every stakeholder is involved and with pure intent, to keep raising the level of the game. That is the mindset and the vision I had when I decided to come back home and play.

“Despite what I have seen, I am encouraged to believe that this is achievable if we put our minds to it. There are a lot of players like me who want to come back home and play in the league and I am sure they are watching as everything unfolds with rapt attention.

“All I, and by extension other players want to do is play football and contribute our quota to the growth of the sport at home. If this is to be achieved, then the needful has to be done

I would like to state categorically that we are patriotic and will relish to come back and contribute our quota but the needful has to be done by all parties to improve the competency and fairness of the management of the game by those saddle with the responsibility to do so.

“The time for action is now.

 

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“To the fans, I want to implore you to obey the law at all times especially in these dire times we are occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It is my wish to play in front of the fans but we have to play within the laws that are set by the Nigeria Football Federation and the League Management Company. That is how you support your team.

“Please do not take the laws into your hands. Let us learn to obey the authorities. Stay at home and cheer your team all the time until when the authorities feel it is safe for you to return to the stadiums. Thank you.”