Nigeria flamboyant right fullback Musa Muhammed reached the 100 games milestone for his modest Croatian club Gorica this weekend.
In the league encounter against Slaven Belupo (which paraded another Nigerian fullback Ikouwem Utin on the bench), Muhammed hit his century of appearances.
The match however ended on a sour note for Musa as they lost 3:0 in the home tie in a match that Musa was utilised as a right wingback.
This season, the hugely experienced fullback clocked 12 league games and 14 in total across all competitions for Gorica. Last season, he made a whooping 24 appearances in all competitions making Musa one of the most active fullbacks for Nigeria in mainstream European leagues.
It is remarkable that in the last 6 years, Musa has functioned predominantly as a right full back across all the clubs he played ; no greater indication of how mature he has developed in that position needs be sought.
Since the Kano born defender joined Gorica, they have maintained their top 5 league positions regularly. Musa has played consistently and predominantly as a right fullback which has allowed him hone his skills in this area.
His attention to position, tackling, interception, marking and retrieval skills are to high standards. His crosses and general deliveries from deep or by the byline have caused many a trouble for opposition teams leading to assists and pre-assists for Musa.
In fact the 25 year old resplendent wingback has 4 assists and 2 goals against his name in his Gorica career thus far.
With such an accumulation of outputs and advancement in his all-round skills, should fans expect to see Musa Muhammed in Super Eagles colours any time soon?
It looks unlikely.
Owing to the calibre of competition against him and the quality of league they play, it will be difficult to see Musa Muhammed turn out for Nigeria any time soon.
With established Super Eagles fullbacks like of Ola Aina, Tyrone Ebuehi, Chidozie Awaziem and even Shehu Abdullahi all playing in more glamorous and competitive leagues (with the exception of Shehu) , Musa's chances for Nigeria remain ominously thin.
But if he continues to produce fabulous displays for Gorica, hopefully an elite European club will come for his signature. Then his Super Eagles chances will become greatly enhanced.
For now, congratulations to Musa for clocking one hundred appearances for Gorica. Wishing him more tackles and deliveries to his boots!
Muhammed has 3 caps for Nigeria with his last game coming against Tanzania in an Afcon qualifier on the 3rd of September 2016.
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