Playing in the NPFL is not a sign of retrogression for Musa – Owolabi

The Super Eagles captain's move to the domestic league caught many by surprise, but the former Green Eagles star says it's a good thing for the NPFL

Former Nigerian winger Felix Owolabi has hit back at critics who believed Ahmed Musa's return to the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) is a sign of retrogression in his game.

The former Leicester City man has been without a club since leaving Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr last October before signing for Kano Pillars eleven years after leaving the same team. 

Musa made his name in his only season in the Nigerian top-flight, scoring 18 league goals for the Sai Masu Gida in the 2009/2010 campaign. However, his return has generated a mixed reaction, with fans saying it's a backward move. 

But Owolabi, a former player of IICC Shooting Stars now known as Ibadan Shooting Stars, told Soccernet.ng that Musa’s return will further boost the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), and there's no need to criticise him. 

“I see no reason why some people will be criticising the decision of Ahmed Musa to return to the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL). As a professional player, I want to believe he knows the importance of his decision, and I personally want to commend him.

“It is basically unfair to say that Musa's return to the league is a sign of retrogression in his playing career considering his great talent. For me, this is one sacrifice that I know will pay off soon for him.

“I am confident that Musa's return will improve the quality of the NPFL regardless of what people say about him.”

Musa made his 96th appearance for Nigeria in their 3-0 win over Lesotho in Lagos in the Super Eagles final Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

Musa scored twice for Nigeria at the 2014 and 2018 Fifa World Cup tournaments to become the country's top World Cup goalscorer.