Akinsanmiro in Tears After Receiving Super Eagles AFCON Call-Up

Akinsanmiro in Tears After Receiving Super Eagles AFCON Call-Up

By Our Reporter 

Ebenezer Akinsanmiro has described his first call-up to the Super Eagles squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as an emotional turning point in his career, revealing that the moment left him in tears, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The Pisa midfielder, speaking in an interview with NFFTV, said the invitation to the senior national team came as a surprise, especially after earlier setbacks on his path to international recognition.

“When I saw the invitation, I called someone close to me and started crying,” Akinsanmiro said. “It has been a dream for a very long time.”

The 20-year-old admitted that his journey to the senior team had not been straightforward. He recalled missing out on a previous opportunity during the World Cup qualifiers due to injury, a setback that tested his patience and resolve.

Akinsanmiro’s rise has been marked by perseverance, having represented Nigeria at U17 and U20 levels while often doubting whether he would eventually earn a senior call-up. Growing up with limited access to live football broadcasts, he relied heavily on online highlights to study the game and learn from players he admired.

Among his strongest influences are former Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel and Nigerian football icon Austin ‘Jay-Jay’ Okocha.

“I watched their highlights a lot on YouTube,” he said. “I loved the way Mikel played, especially at the U20 World Cup, and I also love Okocha.”

The midfielder said those players helped shape his understanding of the game and fueled his ambition to reach the highest level, an ambition now realised with his inclusion in Nigeria’s AFCON squad.