New Super Eagles invitee Ebenezer Akinsamiro has opened up about the challenging journey that eventually led him to earning his first senior national team call-up, revealing that he had temporarily stepped away from football to pursue a different skill before returning to the sport he loves. The 21-year-old midfielder, currently playing for Pisa SC, spoke to the Super Eagles media team after being named in Nigeria’s 28-man squad ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.
Akinsamiro is among several new additions to the national team, joining other fresh faces such as Ryan Alebiosu, Usman Muhammed, Tochukwu Nnadi, and Salim Fago Lawal, as coach José Peseiro continues to refresh the squad with talented young players showing promise both domestically and abroad.
From self-doubt to a second chance
Akinsamiro revealed that there was a period when he questioned whether football was the right path for him, and during this time of uncertainty, he completely stepped away from the game to learn the craft of hair barbing. The young midfielder explained that his temporary departure from football was fueled by self-doubt and fear of not making it professionally.
“I wasn’t sure I was going to make it in football, so I stopped playing for months and even years to learn barbing,” he said. “But my dad and my brothers kept inspiring me to keep pushing. They reminded me of my passion and my talent, and I slowly started to believe in myself again.”
He also spoke about growing up in a community where access to live football matches was limited due to financial constraints. This meant that while he loved football, he spent more time playing than watching the game on television.
“To be honest, I didn’t watch football a lot, because where I grew up, you have to pay before you can watch games, so we were not allowed when I was young. I love to play football, but I didn’t watch on TV a lot. I focused on playing and improving myself instead,” he explained.
“Oruko mi ni Akinsanmiro Ebenezer…”
The new Eagle opens up on how it feels to join the Super Eagles squad.#Naija4TheWin #LetsDoItAgain #AFCON2025 pic.twitter.com/26cT39HhZC
— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) December 15, 2025
Emotional Super Eagles breakthrough
Reflecting on the moment he received the national team call-up, Akinsamiro admitted that the emotions were overwhelming. He had previously missed out on opportunities due to injury, particularly during the World Cup qualifiers, making this achievement even more significant for him.
“When the call came the second time, I saw the invitation, called someone close to me and started crying,” he said. “It has been my dream for so long. I kept believing that if I gave my best, I would get here. This is what all the hard work, the struggles, and the doubts were preparing me for.”
Role models and motivation
Akinsamiro credited former Super Eagles legends, John Obi Mikel and Austin Jay-Jay Okocha, as major influences on his playing style and mentality. After recommitting to football full-time, he frequently watched highlights of the duo on YouTube, drawing inspiration and lessons from their play to improve his own skills.
“When I started considering making a career out of football, I would watch Mikel Obi and [Austin Jay-Jay] Okocha’s highlights on YouTube. I love them, honestly,” he said. “They inspired me to keep believing and pushing my limits. Watching them made me understand what it takes to play at a top level.”
The Super Eagles are scheduled to face Egypt in a friendly match on Tuesday before travelling to Morocco for their 2025 AFCON opener against Tanzania, giving Akinsamiro the platform to showcase his talent on the continental stage and continue his journey with Nigeria’s national team.[/p>