For Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, the journey to the Super Eagles did not begin under bright stadium lights or on primetime television.
It began quietly, with a phone screen, YouTube clips, and a young boy obsessively studying the movement, flair and intelligence of midfield greats he admired from afar.
Read Also: AFCON 2025: Alebiosu, Ogbu Make Super Eagles Bow as Chelle Rotates Line-Up Against Uganda | Sports247 Nigeria
Now, in Morocco with Nigeria’s national team at the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, Akinsanmiro is living the dream he once only imagined.
Speaking to Sports247 ahead of Nigeria’s final Group C match against Uganda, the newly invited Super Eagles midfielder reflected on a long, patient climb from grassroots football to the elite level of African football.
His inclusion in the final 28-man squad raised eyebrows, but it was hardly accidental.
Akinsanmiro earned his call-up on the back of consistent and impressive performances for Pisa FC in the Italian Serie A this season, showcasing maturity beyond his years in the heart of midfield.
For the soft-spoken midfielder, pulling on the green and white jersey is a moment loaded with emotion.
“It has been a long time,” Akinsanmiro said. “I’ve been dreaming of being here. ”
” From playing at Beyond Limits, going to the Rio tournament, then being signed by Inter, and playing on loan at Sampdoria and Pisa before finally being called up — it’s a big step for me.”
Standing shoulder to shoulder with established Super Eagles stars in camp has been both humbling and inspiring.
“Playing in the midst of these players is a big experience for me,” he admitted. “It means a lot.”
Interestingly, Akinsanmiro revealed that his football education did not come from watching full matches week in, week out. Instead, his inspiration came from carefully selected clips of players whose styles resonated deeply with him.
“I don’t really watch football like that,” he explained with a smile. “I like to play football. But I watch people on YouTube — Austin Jay-Jay Okocha, Mikel Obi, Paul Pogba. These people are very good.”
From Okocha’s creativity and audacity, to Mikel’s composure and tactical intelligence, and Pogba’s physicality and range, Akinsanmiro absorbed lessons that subtly shaped his own approach to the game.
For him, football has never been about external motivation or hype.
“This football is like my job. It’s what I love to do,” he said. “I don’t need motivation from anybody. I just love football.”
That love has carried him from local pitches in Nigeria to Europe’s competitive leagues, and now to the biggest stage in African football.
As Nigeria prepares to face Uganda, Akinsanmiro remains grounded, focused, and grateful — a reminder that sometimes, big dreams really do start small, even from watching heroes on YouTube.
For the Super Eagles, they may just have discovered a new midfield gem whose story is only just beginning.
