Footballers who rose from humble beginnings to become household names
28th January 2024
Footballers
By
Oghenovo Egodo-Michael
Football is one of the most popular sports in Nigeria, and it has produced numerous stars who started from scratch to become household names. OGHENOVO EGODO-MICHAEL takes a look at some football stars who defied all odds to attain greatness
Victor Osimhen
Victor Osimhen currently plays as a striker for Serie A club, Napoli, in Italy, as well as the Nigerian national team.
Born on December 29, 1998, in Lagos, Nigeria, Osimhen started playing football at a young age, and joined Ultimate Strikers Academy in Nigeria, before moving to Wolfsburg in Germany.
Osimhen rose from humble beginnings to become one of the most promising young talents in the world of football. His story is one of perseverance, hard work, and determination in the face of adversity.
He grew up in a large family with five siblings, who were raised by his mother after his father passed away when he was just six years old. To survive with his family, the striker hawked sachet water popularly known as ‘pure water’ on the streets. Despite the challenges he faced growing up in the slum, Osimhen showed an early interest in football and never gave up on his dreams.
As a teenager, Osimhen joined the Ultimate Strikers Academy in Lagos, a football academy that has produced several notable Nigerian players, including Odion Ighalo and Isaac Success. It was there that Osimhen’s talent began to shine, and he quickly caught the attention of scouts from European clubs.
In 2015, Osimhen was invited to join the Golden Eaglets, Nigeria’s under-17 team. He played a key role in their successful campaign at the 2015 U-17 World Cup, scoring 10 goals and winning the tournament’s Golden Boot award. His performances caught the eye of several European clubs, and in January 2016, he signed for Wolfsburg in Germany.
Soon after he arrived in Wolfsburg, he tore his meniscus and underwent three surgeries, and it wasn’t until four months later that he played his first match with the team.
Speaking about the experience in an interview with Sports 1, Osimhen said, “It was really tough when I first came to Europe. It was lonely.
“I would come back from training and there would be nobody at home. It was not easy, considering the fact that I was not playing due to injuries I suffered constantly.”
Despite facing several challenges over the years, Osimhen has continued to work hard and push himself to be the best player he can be. He is known for his speed, skill, and finishing ability, and he has already established himself as one of Nigeria’s most valuable players.
In July 2020, Osimhen signed for Napoli in Italy with a reported transfer fee of €70m.
Osimhen rose to another level when he helped Nigeria win the U-17 World Cup in 2015. He was also a member of the Nigerian team that won the bronze medal at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt. Osimhen made his debut for the senior national team in 2017, and has since become a returning member of the team.
Kelechi Iheanacho
Kelechi Iheanacho is a footballer, who currently plays as a striker for Leicester City in England, as well as the Nigerian national team.
He started playing football at a young age, and joined Taye Academy in Nigeria before moving to Manchester City in England in 2014.
The player has made a name for himself as a talented striker with a knack for scoring goals. He has overcome numerous challenges to become one of the most exciting young players in world football, and his story is one of perseverance, hard work, and determination.
The footballer was born in Imo State, in October 1996 and grew up in a family of six. He lost his mother, Mercy, when he was just 16 years old.
A few months after her death, Iheanacho was named Player of the Tournament as Nigeria won the 2013 U-17 World Cup. His stellar performance caught Manchester City’s eye.
Speaking about his experience on Manchester City’s website, he stated, “That year, I was invited to play for the U-17 national team and it was a big opportunity for me.”
“I received news from home that my mother was sick. I didn’t know how bad it was — I just knew she was sick. I could not go home to see her. This was my chance to go for my dream. The next news I got from home, a few weeks later, was that my mother had died.
It is very hard for me to talk about this.”
Iheanacho’s success on the pitch has been hard-won. He has faced numerous challenges throughout his career, including injuries and competition for places. In 2018, he was left out of Nigeria’s World Cup squad, a decision that he described as the lowest point of his career.
Despite these setbacks, Iheanacho has never given up on his dream of becoming a top-rated footballer. He is known for his ability to create chances for his teammates, as well as his creativity and agility on the pitch.
Off the pitch, Iheanacho is known for his humility and dedication to his family and community. He has spoken openly about the importance of education, and has set up a foundation to help underprivileged children in Nigeria.
Samuel Chukwueze
Samuel Chukwueze currently plays for the Italian football club, AC Milan; as well as the Nigerian national team, Super Eagles.
