Super Eagles hopeful opens up on life-changing sacrifice – “I left home at 12”

Super Eagles hopeful Bamidele Yusuf has opened up about the difficult childhood and life-changing sacrifice that shaped his journey from Nigeria to European football, Soccernet.ng reports.

The Nigerian forward, who currently plays for Hungarian giants Ferencváros, was born and raised in Jos, Plateau State, where his parents and two younger sisters still live.

Yusuf's journey to professional football began against the backdrop of a difficult childhood, with his family often struggling to make ends meet.

He revealed that his parents worked tirelessly to provide for their five children, but sometimes there wasn't enough food for everyone.

Get Our Sports News First – Join Our WhatsApp Channel Now!

Bamidele Yusuf left home at 12

For the 25-year-old, the decision to pursue football meant leaving the comfort of his family home in Jos at an unusually young age.

At just 12, he moved alone to Lagos, several hours from his family, to find an opportunity to develop his football career.

The distance and separation meant he could only see his family once or twice a year, but Yusuf believed the sacrifice was necessary if he was going to achieve his dream. His determination was also shaped by the sacrifices he had witnessed from his parents while growing up.

“Unfortunately, we had difficult days, often struggling just to survive,” Yusuf explained in an interview with Nemzetisport.

“My parents worked incredibly hard and did everything they could to ensure that none of their five children went without, but the table was not always full of food.

“If necessary, they would rather go hungry so that we could eat. I will never forget how much they sacrificed for us.”

The experience, however, did not leave the versatile attacker feeling sorry for himself.

“I saw how hard my parents worked and how they sometimes took food from their own mouths so that we could have enough,” he continued.

“But I never envied those who had more. I did not feel sorry for myself; instead, I learned to fight, and I still do that today.

“The difficult childhood did not break me. It made me stronger.”

Why Yusuf wanted to reach Europe

The decision to leave home was ultimately connected to something bigger than football for Yusuf. He wanted to become a professional footballer not only because of his personal ambitions but also because success would allow him to improve the lives of his family.

Yusuf eventually made his way to Europe after coming through Obazz FC's academy, joining Slovakian club Spartak Trnava in 2019.

His career later took him to Portugal and Serbia before Ferencváros signed him in 2025.

At Vojvodina, the Nigerian enjoyed a productive spell, scoring 21 goals in 46 competitive appearances before earning his move to Hungary, but behind the progress was always the same motivation: a man who wanted better for his family.

“I am proud that I can send money home,” the ex-Estoril striker said.

“That is also why I wanted to become a professional footballer and get to Europe, so that I could help my family.

“I cannot completely repay all the sacrifices my parents made for us, but I want to make their lives easier.

“When I think about that, I know why I have to keep going even on difficult days.”

From Jos to Europe and a Super Eagles dream

Yusuf's journey has since taken him from playing football on the streets of Jos to competing in the UEFA Europa League with Ferencváros.

The 25-year-old can operate on the wing or through the middle and also retains ambitions of playing in England one day, having grown up watching the Premier League and admiring former Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor.

“I loved Emmanuel Adebayor,” Yusuf said. “He was tall, strong and fast, scored goals, and as an attacker there was so much to learn from him.”

While an England move remains a dream, Yusuf's current focus is on continuing to improve, score more goals and win trophies with Ferencváros, and whatever heights his career reaches, the goal is always going to be to fight and never forget where he came from.