Former Super Eagles midfielder, John Ugochukwu Ogu led the spray of Happy New Year messages from Nigerian footballers at home and abroad, after which the towering left-footer was joined by another erstwhile star in the national team, Victor Moses and the nation’s current captain, Ahmed Musa.
Megasportsarena.com gatheed that, in leading the shower of good tidings at the start of 2021, Ogu, who recently played for Al-Adalah of Saudi Arabia, after ending his long stint with Hapoel Be’er Sheva of Israel in 2019, declared that he is glad to see the end of 2020 and hopes 2021 will be better.
Ogu went on to give thanks to his fans for helping him all through the past year, which he still described as a special one for him, despite all the torrid days he went through, especially after effects of COVID-19 caused him to fall out with officials of his last club.
Arriving back late in Saudi Arabia after lockdown restrictions held him at home in Nigeria proved to be the killjoy that marked the end of Ogu’s short spell in the oil rich nation, yet he is staying upbeat, even as he prayed that 2021 will bring more of God’s blessings for him and his fans.
Ogu stated: “Happy New year to everyone of you guys. Thank you guys for making my 2020 special. May 2021 be our year of Gods abundant Blessings.”
A similar line of thought came from Musa, who, incidentally, also fell out with officials of a Saudi Arabia club last year as well, but the former Kao Pillars, VV Van Venlo of Holland, CSKA Moscow of Russia and Leicester City of England attacker refused to be daunted by the setback.
Rather than dwell on issues that saw him cut short his contract with Al-Nassr of Saudi Arabia and remain clubless heading into 2021, Musa turned his focus on what he wants to see from his fans in the New Year, as he went philosophical and spiritual in his message.
The fleet-footed attacker, who is Nigeria’s top scorer at the World Cup, following his braces against Argentina and Iceland at Brazil 2014 and Russia 2018 respectively, took up the gauntlet of a preacher, as he added in his message on social media that all Nigerians should endeavour to set new targets for better attitude and conduct in 2021.
Musa chipped in: “May you keep up to the resolutions you make, do away with the mistakes you commit, inculcate new values in you, build a strong foundation for success and shine like a star. Wishing you a Happy New Year.”
On his part, Moses admitted that 2020 was a tough year, but the former Crystal Palace and Wigan Athletic of England winger, who is currently on loan from English Premier League side, Chelsea at Spartak Moscow of Russia, acknowledged that the best way out of the woods is by staying strong.
The once fearsome forward, who made better marks playing as a wing-back at Chelsea, before he was loaned again in quick succession to Fenerbahçe of Turkey and Inter Milan of Italy, also urged Nigerians and other soccer fans to ensure they entrench unity as their key word for 2021, with a view that that is the way to stay on top mentally and physically.
Moses concluded: “Happy New Year everybody. 2020 has been a difficult year in so many ways but let’s all stick together, stay strong, and work towards a happy and healthy 2021.”
