Flying Eagles’ captain, Daniel Kolocho Bameyi has revealed how watching videos of former senior national team centre backs, Joseph Yobo and Taribo West, inspired him to become a defender.
Sports247 reports that Bameyi, who was in sparkling form at the recent Africa U20 Cup of Nations, where the Flying Eagles placed third after losing to South Africa in the semi-finals, disclosed that he loved the physicality and strength that he saw in Yobo and Taribo.
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The Abuja-based lad disclosed, “I’m still young and growing. There are so many top Nigerian players that I’ve admired through the years of my growing up to this stage. I admired the likes of Joseph Yobo, former Nigeria captain, and Taribo West.
“I grew up watching their videos. I admired them a lot because they were very physical and they had the mind to defend. They were always strong in the way they played for their clubs and the country.”
Considering that the Flying Eagles’ semi-final placement at the continental youth championship in Egypt was good enough for a ticket to the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile, Bameyi is now thinking of returning home with the trophy and a gold medal later this year.
“I want to play at the highest level, but I’m still playing in the country, which is my pride. I want to come back home with something to show physically that this is what I won for my country.
“I want to be able to get a gold medal and say, ‘Here is what I got from the privilege of playing for the country.’ That’s my target for the World Cup,” Bameyi concluded.
