Young D’Hola FA creative midfielder Johnson Tochukwu David has revealed his ambition to represent Nigeria at the FIFA World Cup after his side suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Authority FA in the U10 semi-final of the FEMMCO 01 International Football Championship August Camping at the NUD Playing Ground, Olose.
Tochukwu, who impressed with his creativity and confidence in midfield, produced a determined performance but could not prevent D’Hola FA from bowing out of the competition following an early goal conceded by his side.
Speaking to SPORTS247 after the match, the youngster described the encounter as a good game despite the disappointing outcome.
“Today’s game was good even though we didn’t advance to the final of the competition,” he said.
The defeat was particularly painful for Tochukwu, who believes D’Hola FA gave everything throughout the tournament after making significant sacrifices to participate.
“It is very painful because we’ve spent a lot before and during the competition. We played beautiful football during the tournament and tried our possible best, but still couldn’t make it into the final. That is failure,” he said.
Despite the disappointment, Tochukwu’s performance in the middle of the pitch stood out, with his dribbling, ball control and creativity providing glimpses of his potential.
Asked about his football role model, the young midfielder named Argentine legend Lionel Messi, revealing how watching the Barcelona icon’s clips contributes to his development.
“Lionel Messi is my role model. I watch his clips and it helps my skills,” Tochukwu explained.
His admiration for Messi also influences his club preference. The youngster confirmed that he supports Barcelona, citing both Messi and the club’s style of football.
“Yes, I support Barcelona because of Lionel Messi and the tactical display of the team,” he said.
Beyond the FEMMCO championship, Tochukwu already has his sights set on the biggest stage in international football. Asked if he would accept the opportunity to represent Nigeria, his answer was emphatic.
“Yes, I would love to play for Nigeria in the next few years. I would also love to represent Nigeria in the World Cup. That’s a dream for me,” he declared.
For the young D’Hola midfielder, the semi-final defeat may have ended his team’s pursuit of the FEMMCO trophy, but his ambition remains firmly focused on a future in the Nigerian national team — and ultimately, the World Cup stage.
