Ahmed Musa Scores; Helps CSKA Moscow Qualify For Champions League Next Season
Super Eagles of Nigeria and on-loan Leicester City striker Ahmed Musa was on the scoresheet for CSKA Moscow on the final day of the Russian Premier League against Anzhi Makhachkala at the VEB Arena.
CSKA Moscow went into the final match of the season hoping to usurp Spartak Moscow from the second position in the league and secure automatic qualification into the group stages of the UEFA Champions League next season.
To achieve the second spot in the league behind Lokomotiv Moscow who had already been crowned Champions going into the last game of the season, CSKA Moscow needed a win against relegation strugglers Anzhi Makhachkala and hope that fellow contender for the second position Spartak Moscow draws or lose their match at home to Dinamo Moscow.
Ahmed Musa got CSKA Moscow to a dream start by scoring in the 9th minute of the match through an assist by Kirill Nababkin. Anzhi Makhachkala shocked their host with an equaliser in the 33rd minute through Arsen Khubulov. The scoreline remained one apiece as both teams went into the halftime break.
On resumption of the second half and with the knowledge of Spartak Moscow losing at home to Dinamo Moscow at the interval, CSKA Moscow piled pressure on the defence of Anzhi Makhachkala for goals, the efforts of the home team yielded dividend in the 61st minute as Ahmed Musa gave the assist for Vitinho to give CSKA Moscow the lead.
The home team tried adding to their tally but could not as they settled for a 2-1 win which was enough to secure automatic qualification for Champions League football next season following Spartak Moscow 1-0 lost at home to Dinamo Moscow.
This was Ahmed Musa 6th goal of the season in 10 appearances in the Russian Premier League since his loan move from Leicester City in January.