I once quit football to become a barber, says Eagles’ new invitee Akinsanmiro

Ebenezer Akinsanmiro says he once quit football “for some years” to learn how to become a barber. 

The 21-year-old midfielder spoke about his humble upbringing in a chat with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) media team on Monday.

Akinsanmiro is one of the five new invitees to the Super Eagles squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

He is currently on loan at Pisa SC in the Italian Serie A from Inter Milan. The product of Beyond Limit Academy joined the Italian giants from Remo Stars FC at 18 in 2023.

Akinsanmiro said he cried when he received the latest call-up to the Eagles camp, adding that it is a dream come true.

“It has been my dream for so long. I have been trying to play for the national team for so long. From the U-17, U-20, but then I felt like I was not good enough. So, I just kept on pushing and hoping that one day I would get called up,” he said.

“Where I grew up, you would have to pay to watch football, so I did not watch a lot of football growing up. I just love playing football, but I didn’t watch a lot growing up.”

Akinsanmiro said he was inspired to play football by family members who once played the sport at an amateur level.

He added that he once quit football to learn a trade because a successful career in the sport is never guaranteed.

“People around me inspire me. People like my dad and my brothers,” the Super Eagles player said.

“Both my brothers played football when they were young, and my dad did too. So I also chose to play. But there was a time when I was like, since football isn’t something where success is assured 100 per cent, I had to learn a trade. I quit football for months, years to learn barbing.”

Akinsanmiro is among the earliest players in the 28-player squad to arrive at the team’s camp at the Renaissance Hotel in Cairo, Egypt.

Ademola Lookman, Semi Ajayi, Stanley Nwabali and Francis Uzoho have also arrived. There are currently 11 players in camp, and 12 more are expected later on Monday.

The team’s first training session is scheduled for 8 pm at the  Cairo International Stadium before facing Egypt in a tune-up game at the same venue on Tuesday.

The Eagles will leave for their base in Fès, Morocco, before the 2025 AFCON begins on December 21.

Nigeria have been drawn in Group C, where Eric Chelle’s side will face Tunisia, Tanzania, and Uganda. The tournament begins on December 21, and the Eagles will play their first match on December 23 against Tanzania.