The all-action style of Victor Osimhen, Didier Drogba’s untiring eye for goal and dribbling skills of Fernando Torres have been cited as key factors that keep inspiring a Lagos-based youngster to aim for greatness in football, Sports247 reports.
This is the story of a young striker at United Squad Football Academy of Kosofe, Isiaka Ayodele Abiodun, who disclosed that he is always motivated to keep aspiring for glory in football when he remembers the exploits of Osimhen, Drogba and Torres.
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Abiodun, who revealed that he avoids playing soft upfront, made his sources of inspiration known while speaking during ‘Athlete’s Corner’ segment of Inside Naija Sports, a live streaming programme on YouTube, which starts at 11:45am every Friday in the studio of Sports247 Naija TV.
The youngster, who is currently one of four captains in his club, started by raining accolades on Drogba, whose heroic days and dramatic goals at Chelsea of England also made this fast-growing attacker fall deeply in love with The Blues.
“Didier Drogba is my idol, and he inspired me to become a striker. I like the way he played during his days at Chelsea, and he inspired me to start playing like him.
“I started my football career in 2010, and I followed Drogba’s style because I so much loved the way he played,” Abiodun disclosed.
He then spoke about what he admires most in Osimhen, whom he remembered playing against during the Galatasaray of Turkey hitman’s early days with Ultimate Strikers FC of Olusosun, in Ojota area of Lagos.
“Victor Osimhen is the Nigerian footballer that I love most. I like him because he puts all his mind into every game he is playing, and I remember how much effort he gave at the grassroots before going to Europe.
“I played against him back in the days at Ojota before God opened his way. I pray that God will open my way like that as well.
“I like him because he gives all his effort while playing on the field in order to ensure that Nigeria goes far. The only other Nigerian player that was like him before was Osaze Odemwingie,” Abiodun added.
He spoke further by turning his attention on Torres, who he hailed for great exploits during his days with Liverpool and, while admitting that the Spanish striker did not shine at Chelsea, he said ‘El Nino’ still excites him.
“I also loved watching Fernando Torres when he was in Liverpool; because he was flexible and he could dribble. He also had speed and knew how to score.
“He was a good top striker when he was at Liverpool before going to Chelsea. I used to go on YouTube to watch his games and copy his skills,” Abiodun recalled.
He concluded by pointing out that his admiration for Dogba made him love Chelsea, which was why he was happy when Torres joined them, to the extent that he also wants to play for The Blues before the end of his football career.
“I don’t know what happened to Torres at Chelsea, but I still admire him, and he made me love that club more.
“I will like to play for Chelsea the way Torres and Drogba did; especially because the club encourages young players. I also want Osimhen to play for them.
“My target is to make a big name like him. I want people to talk about me and shout my name – Isiaka Ayodele Abiodun – all over the world,” the lad from Thomas Ajegunle area of Kosofe projected.
