NPFL: Ahmed Musa, Shehu Abdullahi Rejoin Kano Pillars for 2024/25 Season

Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa and right-back Shehu Abdullahi have rejoined the club for the 2024/25 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season.

Both players, who were free agents, are making their return to the team where they started their football careers.

Musa, 31, left Turkish side Sivasspor in February 2023 and has since been without a club. This marks his third stint with Kano Pillars, having first played for the club from 2009 to 2010 before re-joining in 2021.

Abdullahi, who most recently played for Bulgarian outfit Levski Sofia, last appeared for Pillars in 2012.

The two football legends were spotted training at Kano Pillars’ ground on Thursday, ahead of the club’s NPFL Matchday 5 clash against Sunshine Stars this weekend. The club confirmed their return via its official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Friday, writing:
“Ahmed Musa, Shehu Abdullahi, Nazir Laja, and the rest of the squad trained ahead of NPFL 2024/25 Matchday 5 clash against Sunshine Stars this weekend.”

Musa and Abdullahi will join forces with Kano Pillars’ veteran midfielder Rabiu Ali as they aim to push the former champions back to the top of Nigerian football. The club has high hopes for the season, with the return of these experienced players sparking excitement among fans and pundits alike.

Despite the NPFL 2024/25 summer transfer window having already closed, both Musa and Abdullahi are eligible to rejoin the squad as free agents. Sunday Obaseki, the NPFL head of competitions, confirmed that Musa’s transfer will be processed smoothly.

“Yes, he can be registered. Ahmed Musa will be on the Transfer Matching System, so he won’t have a problem,” Obaseki told The PUNCH.

Kano Pillars are hopeful that the return of Musa and Abdullahi, both veterans of Nigerian football, will significantly strengthen their squad as they look to challenge for the NPFL title this season.