Ahmed Musa becomes Kano Pillars General Manager, stepping into football leadership after stellar career.
His appointment is praised as a bold move to revitalize Nigerian football through experience.
Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa has taken a significant step into football administration following his appointment as the General Manager of Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) side Kano Pillars Football Club.
The appointment was announced by Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf ahead of the 2025/26 NPFL season. Musa’s new role follows Sai Masu Gida’s failure to secure a place in next season’s continental competitions.
Musa, 33, is widely regarded as one of the most decorated and longest-serving players in Nigeria’s senior national team. The forward returned to domestic football last season, featuring prominently for Kano Pillars and scoring 10 goals in 23 league appearances. His performance earned him a preliminary call-up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Zimbabwe and Rwanda, though he was later dropped from the final 23-man list.
Following public criticism over his exclusion, national team coach Eric Chelle recalled the AFCON-winning forward for the 2025 Unity Cup in London. There, Musa captained a squad composed of NPFL-based players in a friendly against Ghana before returning to Nigeria for his wedding.
Musa, who previously starred for clubs such as Leicester City in England, CSKA Moscow in Russia, and Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, is respected for his leadership qualities both on and off the field. His appointment to Kano Pillars’ top management is viewed as a strategic move to leverage his extensive experience in European and Middle Eastern football leagues.
Beyond his on-field contributions, Musa has played an active role in mentoring younger players and promoting charity initiatives. He was one of the standout performers at the recent charity match organized by fellow Super Eagles star William Troost-Ekong.
In line with the state’s drive to rejuvenate its flagship football club, the Kano State Government also approved a new 17-member board for Kano Pillars. Ali Muhammad Umar chairs the board and includes prominent figures such as Salisu Mohammed Kosawa, Idris Malikawa Garu, Yusuf Danladi, and others with backgrounds in sports administration and media.
Former Golden Eaglets goalkeeper and Kwara State Sports Commission board member Dele Abubakar hailed the development, calling Musa’s appointment a “bold and commendable move.” In a chat with Legit.ng, Abubakar urged other state governments to consider bringing retired internationals into management roles to inject fresh expertise into Nigerian football.
“This is one of the best pieces of news in recent times. Musa’s knowledge of football, gathered from years playing in Europe and the Middle East, will greatly benefit Kano Pillars. This is how we open the door for more ex-internationals to transition into management,” he said.
Musa has previously spoken about the emotional struggles he faced early in his career. In past interviews, he revealed that he cried daily during some of the most challenging moments of his journey but remained determined to succeed despite the odds.
His promotion to General Manager marks not just a personal milestone but a broader statement about career transitions for footballers and the importance of giving back to local clubs.
