Nigeria must ensure they at least beat Egypt at home in a crucial AFCON 2017 to keep alive hopes of qualifying for the tournament, according to skipper Ahmed Musa.

Egypt are top of the qualifying group with six points, while Nigeria are two points behind on four points.

.SUPER EAGLES CAPTAIN, AHMED MUSA (M) DRIBBLES THE NIGER REPUBLIC PLAYER, DURING THE FIFA INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY MATCH BETWEEN SUPER EAGLES OF NIGERIA AND NIGER REPUBLIC IN PORT HARCOURT ON TUESDAY (08/08/15). NIGERIA WON 2-0

And both teams are now locked in a Titanic double header for next year’s AFCON in Gabon with Nigeria hosting the first leg in Kaduna on March 26.

“We have to win the first game against Egypt at home before we go for the second leg,” said Ahmed Musa.

“The result will be very important because we have to qualify for the Nations Cup.”

The CSKA Moscow star was during the January transfer linked with a big-money move to surprise EPL leaders Leicester. He said it was a flattering compliment, but he would rather wait till the summer to reconsider his future.

“I won’t rush to leave Russia, I would rather wait till the summer to know what next,” he said.