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By: Abiodun Adewale
If anyone in Olusosun – a Lagos community around the popular Ojota motor park – didn’t believe in their dreams before now, Nigerian footballer, Victor Osimhen, has changed that thinking.
From the filth of the belly-turning stench of the dumpsite and other environmental problems in the community, Osimhen rose from a poverty-stricken lad who just wanted to survive to becoming the latest winner of the African Player of The Year Award as well as one of the most sought after strikers in world football.
His humble background is well documented in the community, and because of him, many other young players are aiming to become the next big thing in Nigerian football.
One of them is Taiye Anisere, a 15-year-old full-back who plays for Perick Soccer Academy, the junior team of Osimhen’s former side, Olusosun United.
Aside from adoring Osimhen and playing for the same team the Napoli man started from, the lad’s first connection with Osimhen is his last name, Anisere. That is also the name of the street in which Osimhen grew up in Olusosun. According to him, the street was named after his family.
Anisere was six years old when Osimhen broke out at the 2015 FIFA U-17 World in Chile, where he scored a competition record 10 goals to help Nigeria win the tournament for the fifth time. Anisere might not have understood what it meant for the neighbourhood then, but the rest of the story has been unfolding right before his eyes since he became old enough to play football.
“I want to be like Victor Osimhen. He’s hardworking, he plays very well and doesn’t give up. He doesn’t like to lose and likes to score. That’s the inspiration I get from him. He’s one of the best strikers in the world and I want to be like him,” Anisere told PUNCH Sports Extra after Osimhen won the CAF POTY award.
In the classroom, Anisere, an SS3 student, shares another similarity with Osimhen — both were taught by the same teacher. Mr. Isaac Babatunde, popularly called IBB, who was Osimhen’s Physical and Health Education teacher at Oregun Junior High School, is now the 15-year-old’s class teacher at Opebi Senior Grammar School.
Even though he hasn’t been able to meet the Napoli man during his visits to the community, the stories he has heard and what he sees in the media are enough motivation for him.
“Osimhen has been on my display picture and wallpaper for a long time. The way people hail him and follow him whenever he visits Olusosun, if you see it, you’d also have no choice than to have the mindset of working hard and making an impact with your life,” he added.
After winning the CAF POTY award last December, Osimhen is currently with the Super Eagles in Ivory Coast, helping the team seek a fourth AFCON title having won in 1980, 1994 and 2013.
Anisere expressed confidence in the striker’s ability to spearhead Nigeria’s campaign.
“Just like he did for Napoli last season (winning the Serie A title), he will do it for Nigeria. Although their first game was 1-1, I believe they will come out good. I also knew Osimhen was going to score in that first game and I’m happy he did,” the 15-year-old said.
He is also a Chelsea fan and spoke about the transfer speculations linking his hero to the Blues.
“It would be a dream come true because Chelsea don’t have an experienced striker, so, he would be the perfect fit.”
Anisere is among many other young players who are aiming to be like Osimhen at Perick Soccer Academy. Osimhen’s first coach, Paul Erikewe, who has now stepped aside as the owner, is also confident that his investment on Anisere and other players in the team will bring more glory to the community.
“Overtime I have invested a lot in my coaches and they are giving their best to the boys. Now I have about four boys who are heading out for trials soon and with time, Taiye will come of age as well. For his age, he has shown great composure and he is surely destined for the top,” Erikewe said.
Aside from football, Anisere, who is currently preparing for his West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination, also said he would love to become an actor.