Super Eagles New Boy Ebenezer Akinsanmiro Reveals Nigerian Legend He Enjoyed Watching

Super Eagles midfielder Ebenezer Akinsanmiro has revealed that former Chelsea star John Obi Mikel is his biggest football role model.

Akinsanmiro, who is currently on loan from Inter Milan, was recently called up to the Super Eagles squad ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. The young midfielder said he studied Mikel Obi’s style of play while growing up, especially during the former captain’s performances at the U-20 World Cup.

He explained that he did not have the opportunity to watch live football regularly because of financial challenges. However, he followed the careers of top Nigerian players online and remained inspired by their success.

Akinsanmiro said his admiration for Mikel Obi, as well as other Nigerian legends like Jay-Jay Okocha, encouraged him to continue chasing his dream of becoming a professional footballer despite many difficulties.

Speaking about his inspiration, he said he enjoyed watching Mikel Obi’s videos online, noting his calm style, leadership and intelligence on the pitch.

The midfielder also spoke about his emotional reaction to being invited to the Super Eagles. He revealed that he had missed an earlier call-up due to injury and feared he might not get another chance.

According to him, receiving the new invitation brought him to tears, as representing Nigeria has always been his dream since his days at the U-17 and U-20 levels. He admitted there were moments of doubt but said he never stopped believing in himself.

Now in camp with the Super Eagles, Akinsanmiro is determined to make the most of the opportunity and prove that he deserves his place in the team, just as Mikel Obi once did.

The Super Eagles are currently preparing for a friendly match against Egypt in Cairo as part of their build-up to AFCON 2025. Head coach Eric Chelle is expected to use the game to assess the squad, giving new players like Akinsanmiro the chance to impress.