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Seven-Year-Old Rising Star: Adesire Samuel Captivates with Exceptional Football Promise
At just seven years old, Okunrinboye Adesire Samuel is already attracting attention as one of the most exciting emerging football talents in Nigeria, with his precocious skill, discipline, and maturity marking him out as a player to watch for the future.
READ ALSO: “The Next Puyol?” Young Defender Adeniyi Shines in Defeat at Femmco Championship
Born on December 29, 2018, in Ondo Town and raised in Akure, Ondo State, Adesire is a Primary 3 pupil at Adetola International Nursery and Primary School, where he balances academic excellence with a rapidly growing football career.
Currently captaining the Under-10 side of Skima Brighten Football Academy, the young midfielder-forward has become known for his fearless dribbling, composure on the ball, and natural attacking instinct, traits that first became evident when he was only three years old.
A Talent Recognized Early
According to his father and mentor, Okunrinboye Olushola Paul, Adesire’s gift revealed itself in an unforgettable moment of childhood curiosity.
“On a particular day, our neighbor was practicing juggling, and Adesire stood frozen, watching the ball as if there was a divine connection between him and football,” his father recalled. “That was when I knew he was born to play.”
From that moment, football became inseparable from the young boy’s life.
By age two, he was already playing with his elder brother and training partner, Okunrinboye Opemipo Simeon, and by age three, his father had begun structured development of his talent.
Award-Winning Promise
Adesire’s biggest breakthrough came at the Unique Egalitarian Soccer Championship in Ede, Osun State, where he won the Most Promising Player Award, confirming his growing reputation among youth football circles.
He has since represented his academy in multiple tournaments, earning praise for his technical brilliance and courage against older, stronger opponents.
Though his dribbling flair makes him difficult to defend, it has also brought challenges.
“He loves taking on three or four defenders,” said his father. “Sometimes older players kick him to stop him, but he is learning how to balance dribbling with passing and smarter positioning.”
Football, Faith, and Character
Off the pitch, Adesire is described as calm, gentle, and compassionate, a child with what his family calls “a heart of gold.”
He is known for caring for younger children in his neighborhood, defending them, sharing food with hungry kids, and showing unusual empathy for someone his age.
He also enjoys reading the Bible, playing PlayStation football games, watching cartoons, especially Superbook, and practicing alone for hours, sometimes even indoors.
One memorable moment of that dedication came when, at age five, he accidentally broke the family television while practicing ball control in the sitting room.
“I didn’t punish him,” his father said. “I didn’t want to discourage his passion.”
Driven by Big Dreams
Adesire dreams of one day playing for Chelsea FC, inspired by global stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi, and Ronaldinho.
In his own words:
“I always ask my Daddy to take me to go and train so I can be like Ronaldinho.”
His long-term ambition is clear: to develop abroad in elite football environments such as Spain or England, where he hopes world-class coaches can refine his abilities into professional excellence.
A Father’s Commitment, A Wider Lesson
Since losing his mother, the late Mrs. Temitope Okunrinboye, Adesire has been raised in a close-knit family of three, his father, elder brother, and himself.
His father, a civil servant, has become his greatest supporter, transporting him to training sessions every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, often spending up to five hours supervising practice.
“The more you train harder, the better you become and the closer you are to your dreams,” his father tells him regularly.
Their story is increasingly being seen as a model of intentional parenting in talent development, an example of how early recognition, sacrifice, and guidance can transform raw ability into structured promise.
More Than a Football Story
Adesire’s journey is not just about football, it is also about education, parenting, and opportunity.
His story highlights the importance of discovering children’s talents early, nurturing them responsibly, and proving that academic success and athletic ambition can coexist.
For now, the gifted seven-year-old continues to train relentlessly in Akure, carrying with him not only the dreams of a child but the growing expectations of a football future Nigeria may one day celebrate on the world stage.
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Nigeria’s Flamingos maintained their perfect run at the 2026 WAFU-B U17 Girls Cup with a commanding 2–0 victory over hosts Côte d’Ivoire in Yamoussoukro on Thursday.
Oluwakemi Adegbuyi gave Nigeria the perfect start when she struck in the fourth minute, putting the Flamingos in front at the Lycée Scientifique.
The early goal allowed Nigeria to settle into the contest as the Flamingos protected their advantage through the remainder of the first half.
Côte d’Ivoire pushed for a response after the restart, but Nigeria remained disciplined and continued to threaten on the counter.
The Flamingos eventually doubled their advantage in the 83rd minute, with Pattra Oparanmegwa finding the back of the net to put Nigeria firmly in control.
The victory extends Nigeria’s perfect record in the competition, with the Flamingos now having won all four of their matches.
Nigeria had earlier opened their campaign with a 5–0 victory over Niger Republic before defeating Ghana 4–2 and overcoming Burkina Faso 2–0.
Against Burkina Faso, Mary Dunstan broke the deadlock in the 82nd minute before Adegbuyi struck in stoppage time to seal the win.
The victory over Côte d’Ivoire therefore represents another impressive display from the Flamingos, who have continued to combine attacking quality with defensive discipline throughout the tournament.
The hosts entered Thursday’s encounter as Nigeria’s closest challengers in the standings, having collected six points from their opening three matches. Côte d’Ivoire had also demonstrated their attacking threat with a 9–0 victory over Niger Republic before facing the Flamingos.
Nigeria, however, maintained their superiority in the decisive encounter, with Adegbuyi’s early strike and Oparanmegwa’s second-half finish securing another three points.
The result takes the Flamingos to 12 points from four matches, strengthening their position at the top of the WAFU-B U17 Girls Cup standings.
Nigeria will now turn their attention to their final fixture of the competition against Guinea, as coach Hakeem Busari’s side look to complete the tournament with another victory.
The WAFU-B competition is also serving as valuable preparation for Nigeria ahead of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco, where the Flamingos will compete against North Korea, Puerto Rico and Poland in Group B.
The post WAFU – B U-17: Adegbuyi, Oparanmegwa Fire Flamingos Past Côte d’Ivoire appeared first on Sports247 Nigeria.
Featured
EuroMatch NPFL Matchday 5: Sporting Lagos Shock Enyimba as Rangers, Barau FC Pick Up Vital Wins
The EuroMatch Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) delivered another action-packed round of fixtures on Matchday 5, with Sporting Lagos producing one of the biggest results of the round while Rangers International, Barau FC and Shooting Stars all secured important victories.
READ ALSO: EuroMatch NPFL: Enyimba Stunned Again! Sporting Lagos Complete 3-2 Comeback in Aba
Sports247 reports that in Aba, Sporting Lagos stunned nine-time champions Enyimba FC 3-2, completing a remarkable comeback after the home side took the lead through Stanley Dimgba in the 44th minute. Tobi Iyanda extended Enyimba’s advantage in the 55th minute, but Sporting Lagos responded emphatically.
The visitors levelled in the 51st minute before Haruna Hadi put Sporting Lagos ahead in the 65th minute. Daniel Aboh added another four minutes later to complete the turnaround and condemn Enyimba to another defeat.
Rangers International continued their strong campaign with a narrow 1-0 victory over newly promoted Ranchers Bees. Iwundu scored in the 53rd minute to hand the defending champions another valuable three points.
At home, Barau FC defeated Abia Warriors 2-0. Joseph Atule opened the scoring in the 22nd minute before Ibrahim Ayoola doubled the advantage in the 61st minute.
Bendel Insurance also secured a home victory, edging Ikorodu City 2-1. Chinedu Nwosu converted from the penalty spot in the 49th minute, while Alex Oweilayefa struck in the 84th minute. Aderemi Adeoye had earlier scored for Ikorodu City in the 80th minute.
In Ilorin, Kwara United defeated Nasarawa United 2-1. Sanni Muhammed gave the hosts an early lead in the 12th minute before Jofrank Istifanus equalised for Nasarawa United in the 29th minute. AbdulSalam A. restored Kwara United’s advantage in the 65th minute.
Shooting Stars recorded a convincing 2-0 win over Katsina United, with Olanrewaju Ridwan and Qamar Adegoke finding the net.
Doma United and Plateau United played out an entertaining 2-2 draw, while Niger Tornadoes and Warri Wolves shared the points after a goalless encounter.
In Lagos, Inter Lagos drew 1-1 with Kano Pillars. Ubong Friday, assisted by Ahmed Musa, put Pillars ahead in the 33rd minute before Bashir AbdulKareem levelled in the 76th minute.
The Matchday 5 action continues on Thursday when Rivers United, the Pride of Rivers, face Kun Khalifat FC. With the campaign gathering momentum, another round of NPFL drama awaits.
The post EuroMatch NPFL Matchday 5: Sporting Lagos Shock Enyimba as Rangers, Barau FC Pick Up Vital Wins appeared first on Sports247 Nigeria.
Featured
BREAKING: Super Eagles Camp Grows to 23 as Ndidi, Chukwueze Land in Uyo Ahead of Madagascar Clash
The Super Eagles camp in Uyo has grown to 23 players following the arrival of captain Wilfred Ndidi and winger Samuel Chukwueze as Nigeria intensifies preparations for Friday’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Madagascar.
Ndidi and Chukwueze landed at the Victor Attah International Airport in Uyo at exactly 5:20 p.m. on Tuesday, arriving from Lagos aboard an Ibom Air flight before linking up with the rest of Éric Chelle’s squad.
Their arrival followed that of goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, who had earlier increased the number of players in camp from 20 to 21 before the team headed out for its first training session.
The initial 20 arrivals were Moses Simon, Akor Adams, Taiwo Awoniyi, Isaac James, Emmanuel Fernandez, Benjamin Fredrick, Moses Usor, George Ilenikhena, Arthur Okonkwo, Alex Iwobi, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, Ola Aina, Ademola Lookman, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Chibuike Nwaiwu, Tolu Arokodare, Bruno Onyemaechi, Raphael Onyedika and Frank Onyeka.
With Nwabali, Ndidi and Chukwueze subsequently reporting, Chelle now has 23 players available, giving the coach an almost complete group as preparations gather momentum in Uyo.
Nigeria’s squad underwent a late alteration after Victor Osimhen was ruled out through injury, prompting the recall of Taiwo Awoniyi as his replacement.
The Coventry City striker is already in camp and will compete with Akor Adams, Tolu Arokodare and George Ilenikhena among the centre-forward options.
The Super Eagles will host Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, on Friday, September 25, before travelling to Bissau for their second Group L qualifier against Guinea-Bissau on September 29.
After the disappointment of missing the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Nigeria are under pressure to begin their AFCON campaign positively.
With 23 players now assembled in Uyo and training underway, Chelle can turn his attention to shaping the team he believes can deliver the opening three points against Madagascar.
The post BREAKING: Super Eagles Camp Grows to 23 as Ndidi, Chukwueze Land in Uyo Ahead of Madagascar Clash appeared first on Sports247 Nigeria.
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