Nigeria midfielder Ebenezer Akinsanmiro has described his invitation to the Super Eagles ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as an emotional and long-awaited moment, admitting he never expected the call-up.

Akinsanmiro also revealed former Chelsea star John Obi Mikel and Nigerian football legend Austin “Jay-Jay” Okocha as the players he idolised and models his game after ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

Speaking on his reaction to the invitation, Akinsanmiro revealed that the news left him in tears, recalling the difficult journey that preceded the breakthrough.

“I wasn’t expecting it to be honest,” he said. “Because I was first call-up during the qualifier for the World Cup, I was called up then I got injured. So, when they call me up, when I saw the invitation, to be honest, I call someone who is closer to me and I started crying because it has been a dream for so long.”

The midfielder explained that representing Nigeria at senior level had been a lifelong ambition, one he pursued through the country’s youth ranks without immediate success.

“I have been trying to play for the national team for so long, since the U17, U20, and I think like then maybe I am not good enough. I just felt like maybe when I keep on pushing and give my possible best, maybe one day, I will be called up to the national team.”

Akinsanmiro also reflected on his unconventional football upbringing, revealing that limited access to live matches shaped his relationship with the game.

“I don’t really watch football like that because where I grow up, you have to pay before you can watch games” he said. So, we were not allowed when I was young to – so we didn’t have time to watch games. I love to play football but I didn’t watch football but when I was like growing up, making it serious that I want to become a football.”

He cited former Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel and Nigerian football icon Austin ‘Jay-Jay’ Okocha as major influences, saying he studied their highlights extensively.

“I will do watching on YouTube, which is like Mikel Obi, and I like the way he plays like from the U20 World Cup, and I also love Okocha, and I only watch these people on YouTube, their highlights to be honest and I love them,” he added.

Beyond football idols, Akinsanmiro credited his family—particularly his father and brothers—for inspiring his career, noting that all of them played football when they were younger.

“What inspire me are the people around me, like my dad, my brothers, both of them they played football when they were young and my dad also plays football. I choose to play but there was a time when I was like football is not like something like 100% you will make it, so I have to like learn a work.”

Despite those doubts, encouragement from his family helped him return to the sport and continue chasing his dream.

“So, I quit football for some months, years. So let me learn a barbing work like this, my dad and brothers really inspire me to become a football player.”

The Pisa midfielder earned a place in the Super Eagles’ 28-man squad for the biennial tournament after impressing with his performances for the newly promoted Serie A club.

Akinsanmiro will be hoping to make his senior debut for the Super Eagles when Nigeria take on Egypt on Tuesday in a preparatory fixture ahead of the start of the tournament. 

Adeyemi Adewale