Super Eagles new boy, Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, has revealed the struggles he faced on his journey to the national team, Soccernet.ng reports.
Akinsanmiro, who recently received a call-up to represent Nigeria at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), touched on taking time away from football to learn barbering.
The midfielder, who is owned by Inter Milan, admitted that at one point he doubted whether he would ever make it as a professional footballer and sought an alternative skill to fall back on.
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Despite his detour, Akinsanmiro’s dedication to his dream never wavered. Now called up ahead of AFCON 2025, the young star reflects on the emotional moment he received his national team invitation and how the people around him, including his father and brothers, kept him motivated.
Inter Milan-owned Akinsanmiro on learning Barbering
The Pisa FC loanee opened up about the period when football seemed uncertain, and he chose to learn barbering.
“There was a time I doubted football because it’s not something where you’re 100 per cent sure you’ll make it. So I decided to learn barbering. I stopped playing football for some months, even years,” he said.
The midfielder admitted that barbering was a practical skill that offered him security while he navigated the competitive world of football.
However, the influence of his father and brothers, who all played football in their youth, eventually drew him back to the pitch.
“The people around me — my dad and my brothers. They all played football when they were younger, and my dad also played.”
Akinsanmiro on crying after getting called up to Super Eagles
The moment Akinsanmiro received his call-up to the Super Eagles proved to be overwhelming.
“When I saw the invitation, I called someone close to me and started to cry. It has been my dream for so long. I’ve been trying to play for the national team since the U-17 and U-20 levels,” he revealed.
Akinsanmiro’s journey included setbacks, including a previous injury that prevented him from participating in the World Cup qualifiers. Yet, he continued to push and give his best, ultimately earning a place in the squad for AFCON 2025.
“It has been my dream for a very long time. I’ve tried to play for the national team since the U-17 and U-20 levels. There were times I felt maybe I wasn’t good enough.” he said “But I kept pushing and told myself that if I continued to give my best, one day I would get the chance to play for my country.”
Super Eagles’ Next Match
The Super Eagles are currently in camp in Cairo, Egypt, preparing for their upcoming friendly against Egypt to prepare for the 2025 AFCON in Morocco.
The friendly against Egypt is expected to be a stern test and an opportunity for new players like Akinsanmiro to show Nigerians what they can do on the international stage.
