In a candid revelation, former Leicester City star and Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa, voiced his apprehensions about a rising trend of betting distractions among Nigerian football enthusiasts. Musa expressed his concerns, as reported by Soccernet, during the unveiling of the national team’s ‘Let’s Do It Again’ mantra, focusing on securing a fourth AFCON title in Ivory Coast next year.
Musa highlighted a worrying fixation among a segment of Nigerian fans on betting rather than wholeheartedly supporting the Super Eagles. He stressed that genuine passion for the game seemed to be overshadowed by vested interests in betting activities.
Addressing the impact on players and their families, Musa revealed the emotional toll experienced by his own family during defeats, citing the pressure to shield them from insults and criticism. Furthermore, he lamented the financial challenges faced by players due to Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, acknowledging the efforts of former NFF boss Amaju Pinnick in the qualification bid.
The football veteran shed light on the changing fan sentiment, attributing criticisms directed at the team to disgruntled bettors whose wagers were affected by match outcomes. Musa concluded by expressing his hope for a return to genuine love and passion for the Super Eagles, free from the overshadowing influence of betting.
