A significant number of individuals who venture into sports are driven by the desire to uplift their families, a common narrative in Nigeria. Athletes like Victor Osimhen, who transitioned from being a hawker to becoming the 2023 African Player of The Year, serve as inspirations to the younger generation.
Yusuf Lawal, a 15-year-old aspiring footballer, harbors the dream of pulling his family out of poverty.
Hailing from Ibadan, Lawal, a left-winger, narrates to PUNCH Sports Extra how his football journey commenced at the tender age of nine, diverting from his religious studies to pursue his passion on the field.
Recalling his initiation into football, Lawal shared, “I was supposed to attend Quran classes at the mosque, but I got lured to the field by a friend. That day, I bought myself boots and delved into football.
“Initially, I was discouraged from skipping religious classes, so I paused football training for about two months. However, I was introduced to a training ground at a school in Amuloko, which reignited my passion,” he recounted.
Although Lawal’s mother initially opposed his involvement in football, she now wholeheartedly supports him along with his father, offering their prayers and encouragement.
Despite his youth, Lawal’s commitment to football remains steadfast, marked by his participation in various competitions where he clinched two trophies.
Recounting his victories, Lawal mentioned, “I secured a trophy for Ona-Ara, our local government, in September last year while playing for our U-15 team.
“I also triumphed with my team earlier this year on February 11 in the Baale Adegboyega Adebayo senior competition in Ibadan, emerging victorious in a penalty shootout,” Lawal disclosed to PUNCH Sports Extra.
Facing financial constraints as an aspiring player without a manager, Lawal acknowledges the hardships in affording essentials like boots and post-training meals. Despite these challenges, his passion for the sport fuels his perseverance.
Reflecting on his journey, Lawal shared that experiencing a heavy defeat early in his career, notably scoring an own goal in a distressing 7-0 loss, marked a low point.
Turning 15 on February 10, Lawal looks up to football icons Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe as his role models, aspiring to emulate their achievements and represent Nigeria on the global stage.
Keen on lifting his family from poverty while pursuing a successful football career, Lawal dreams of donning the Nigerian national team jersey across different age categories and collecting laurels.
His coach, Babajide Oguntuase, from Nigeria National League club Joy Cometh, praises Lawal’s potential, citing his speed, strength, and determination akin to Bukayo Saka of Arsenal.
Confident in Lawal’s capabilities, Oguntuase expressed, “His resilience and fearlessness in the face of challenges make me believe he is destined for greatness.”
As Lawal navigates his football journey, his ambitions remain lofty, fueled by his talent, determination, and unwavering dedication to secure a better future for his family.