Nigeria midfielder Ebenezer Akinsanmiro has opened up about the overwhelming emotions that followed his first-ever invitation to the Super Eagles, describing it as a life-changing moment shaped by years of rejection, uncertainty, and quiet perseverance.
The Pisa FC midfielder, who is on loan from Italian giants Inter Milan, was included in Nigeria’s 28-man squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) set to take place in Morocco. For the 20-year-old, the call-up was more than just a professional milestone—it was the realization of a dream he once feared might never come true.
Speaking to NFF TV, Akinsanmiro admitted that the invitation caught him completely by surprise, especially given his past experiences with injuries and missed opportunities.
“I honestly didn’t expect it,” he said. “The first time I was invited was during the World Cup qualifiers, but I got injured and couldn’t continue. So when I saw this invitation, it was very emotional for me. I had to call someone close to me, and I started crying. It was something I had dreamed about for so long.”
The midfielder revealed that playing for Nigeria’s senior national team had been a lifelong ambition, one he pursued through the youth ranks with patience and resilience, even when recognition did not come immediately.
“I’ve been trying for years, from the U17s to the U20s,” Akinsanmiro explained. “There were moments when I felt maybe I wasn’t good enough. But I kept telling myself to continue pushing and giving my best, hoping that one day my time would come.”
His journey into football was shaped by humble beginnings. Growing up, access to televised football was limited, meaning his love for the game developed more on dusty pitches than in front of a screen.
“Where I grew up, you had to pay to watch football,” he recalled. “We couldn’t afford that, so we didn’t really watch matches. Instead, we played football all the time. That’s how my love for the game grew. I didn’t watch much football, but I knew I wanted to become a professional player.”
When he eventually began studying the game more closely, Akinsanmiro found inspiration in two iconic Nigerian midfielders: former Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel and the legendary Austin “Jay-Jay” Okocha.
“I watched them mostly on YouTube,” he said. “I really liked how Mikel played, especially from the U20 World Cup, and of course Okocha. I would watch their highlights again and again. They inspired me a lot.”
Despite his talent and determination, there was a period when Akinsanmiro seriously questioned whether football could offer him a secure future. Faced with uncertainty, he made the difficult decision to step away from the game temporarily and learn a trade.
“There was a time when I doubted football,” he admitted. “It’s not something you’re ever 100 percent sure will work out. So I decided to learn barbering. I stopped playing football for some months, even years.”
That pause could have marked the end of his football journey, but the unwavering support of his family brought him back. Akinsanmiro credited his father and brothers—who all had football backgrounds—for encouraging him not to give up.
“My dad and my brothers all played football when they were younger,” he said. “They kept motivating me. I chose football, but I also knew I had to be realistic, which is why I learned a trade. Still, their support helped me return and believe again.”
That belief has now been rewarded. After delivering impressive performances for Pisa, particularly following their promotion to Serie A, Akinsanmiro caught the attention of the national team selectors and earned his place in the AFCON squad.
Now, the young midfielder is eager to take the next step—making his senior debut for Nigeria. He could get that opportunity when the Super Eagles face Egypt in a preparatory friendly ahead of AFCON 2025.
For Akinsanmiro, the journey to the Super Eagles is proof that persistence, faith, and hard work can turn even the most distant dreams into reality.
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