Victor Moses’ premature retirement

The news of the retirement of Victor Moses must have come to many as a surprise.
On August 15, this year, the Nigerian soccer star announced his retirement from international duties at the age of 27, citing club and family concerns.
His career in the Super Eagles spanned eight years during which he featured in 37 matches and scored 12 goals.
Orphaned at 11 following the killing of his parents in the Kaduna religious uprising in 2000, the young Victor was hidden by neighourhood friends.
His relatives later paid for his relocation to the United Kingdom where he lived with a foster family in South London.
While attending Stanley Technical High School (now Harris Academy) in South Norwood and playing in the local Tandridge League for Cosmos 90 FC, he was spotted by the Crystal Palace FC scouts who invited him to their nearby Selhurst Park Stadium and gave him a space in the team’s U-14 side.
He scored 50 goals to announce his arrival as a football prodigy.
Victor debuted for the Crystal Palace senior squad at 16 in 2007.
Three years later, he joined Wigan Athletic.
His exploits caught the attention of his adopted country and he was invited to feature in the U-16 and U-17 national squad.
He was later promoted to the U-19 category during which he featured in the 2008 UEFA European U-19 Championship in the Czech Republic.
He was again promoted to the U-21 team at the turn of the 2010-11 season and he made his debut against Uzbekistan in a 2 – 1 triumph.
In 2011, Victor switched his allegiance to Nigeria, a move that was unexpected in view of the tragic fate that befell his parents, just as his retirement was unexpected.
He was given the opportunity to debut for Nigeria against Kenya and Ethiopia but he missed the chances because his application to FIFA to switch nationalities was not received on time.
However, he made his first appearance for the Super Eagles in the qualifiers for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, scoring two penalties against Ethiopia that enabled the squad to progress in the tournament which Nigeria eventually won.
Well-known for his blistering runs, Victor became a key component of the Super Eagles’ qualification for the Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup Finals.
His exploits in the group stage helped the team to qualify for the second round, a feat last achieved at the USA ’94 World Cup Finals.
His pivotal role also contributed to the Super Eagles’ success in the race to the last World Cup Finals staged in Russia.
He will be remembered for the crucial assist he delivered to Alex Iwobi to score the critical goal against the Chipolopolo of Zambia in Uyo that sealed the team’s qualification.
Nigerian fans will also not forget in a hurry, the sublime assist he delivered to Ahmed Musa that earned Super Eagles the opener in the sumptuous 2 – 0 victory against Iceland in their Group B encounter in Russia.
At 27, Victor should be a key component of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier taking place in Seychelles this weekend.
The Super Eagles currently occupy the third position in their group, having lost their opening home game to South Africa.
He will be sorely missed by the nation.
Nigeria must have also looked forward to his being part of the Super Eagles’ quest for the Qatar 2022 World Cup Finals ticket.
There is no doubt that Victor’s retirement will leave a vacuum that the team’s handlers will find difficult to fill considering the quality of players in the current Super Eagles.
It is public knowledge that most of the players are just a shade above average.
Therefore, losing a player of Victor’s calibre is a big blow to the nation’s football at that level.
Although Victor, a father of two kids, gave club and family concerns as reasons for his premature retirement, many are quick to recall that his commitment graph began to fluctuate a couple of years ago when he shunned invitations to the Super Eagles on the grounds of illhealth only to feature for his club engagements at the same time.
The player may not be indispensable to the national team.
Nevertheless, we think his decision should be looked by the beleaguered Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
There may be more to his excuses than meets the eye.
Premature retirement is a global practice among national team players.
There are instances where players come back from early retirement in the interest of their countries.
Victor still has about five years of international football and a decade of club duties ahead of him barring any injuries.
He can be persuaded to change his mind.