Adesina: Football prodigy braving the odds to stardom

 At 16, Pelumi Adesina is already a household name at Abesan Housing Estate in Ipaja, Lagos State, where he braces stacking odds to horn his football skills daily at the mini stadium located on the estate.

The name of the easy-going graduate of Prime Focus Secondary School, Fatolu, Ipaja is on the lips of everyone that comes to the training ground, who would readily tell an inquisitor that he is the best player at his age grade level in Abesan and its environs.

Adesina cuts across as someone circumspect with words and one of a few budding football talents who would rather do the talking on the pitch with their feet.

And so it turned out when our correspondent started a conversation with the unassuming Ogun State indigene, as he could only speak in hushed tunes, even while relaying his background.

A glimpse at his play reveals a class act with the world at his feet, and despite the adulation and myriad of commendations, Adesina grapples with poverty just like any budding footballer in most parts of Africa.

Though fully backed by his parents, he can barely buy a training kit and almost always improvises, buoyed by his savvy and prospect of attaining prominence in the game..

“People say that I am good; that is what they tell me everywhere, but I am only working to get better. Most times, I can’t even buy training kits, especially boots. Most times, I borrow from friends and teammates to either train or play matches,” Adesina told our correspondent.

“This hardship is affecting my game because I know I would have been much better if I had all the kits that I needed to train with. However, I am doing my best to reach my goals despite the financial challenges.”

Aside from his innate ability, parental support is another motivation for Adesina, whose role model is the Argentine icon and record seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi.

A grin suddenly graced his face as he started talking about the support he got from his father, Adedoju Adesina, 55, a teacher, and mother, Olabo Adesina, a civil servant, who both reside at Block 654, Ashimolo Central Mosque, Ipaja.

“I am well supported by my parents. My father didn’t play football while he was young, but he loves watching it. My mother is always encouraging me by giving me good advice, good food, and most times she watches my matches. They both support me, and that is one of my strongest motivations.”

Pelumi, who plays as a winger for Alomosho FC of Ipaja and models his game after Messi by cutting in from the left flank to score goals, sees himself playing for one of the top clubs in Europe like Manchester City, Real Madrid, and Barcelona, but shook his head vigorously when our correspondent mentioned Manchester United.

“As I said before, Messi is my role model; I want to end up playing like him and scoring as often as he has done in the last two decades. He is a complete player. I hope I will be lucky enough to play for a top club in one of Europe’s major leagues in five years’ time. I like Manchester City, Real Madrid and Barcelona.”

Our correspondent was spoilt for choice among a retinue of teammates, coaches, and spectators offering their opinions on Adesina.

“He has the potential to be a top player, and he is a different kind of winger, more like a controlled kind of player,” Enoch Ezeh, who trains with Adesina daily, said.

A teammate, Opeyemi Emmanuel, shared Enoch’s perception of Adesina.

“He is a good right winger; he is good in one-on-one situations; he is good with passes; he shoots accurately; and he is a team player.”

His youthful coach, David Eze, who is popularly called ‘Instructor’ around Abesan, summed it up in his impeccable English, “Pelumi is a creative kind of winger, has good decision-making skills for his age, has good technique, is brilliant with the first touch, creates chances for his teammates, delivers good crosses and shoots well. He scores goals, but he is more of a creator.”