At 14, Nimi dreams of winning Ballon D’Or

Prodigious talents, who grow up to achieve what pundits predicted of them are rare to find. In a world filled with ‘the next Maradona,’ many talented youngsters have failed to reach the heights predicted for them due to various issues.

The most recent example of such precocious talents gone wrong is Freddy Adu of the United States, who was so good that at age 14 he had already started playing for one of the biggest clubs in his country at the highest level of the game.

Although Adu showed glimpses of his talent at the U-17 and U-20 levels, he never managed to live up to the hype thereafter.

Such is the situation minders of 14-year-old Patrick Adeoluwanimi Solanke, who recently made history as the youngest player to feature in the Nationwide League One, want to avoid.

The Nationwide League One, which is regarded as the most important football league in Nigeria, has become home to football history makers.

When the management of the NLO demanded that participating teams ensure the registration of young players, it was clear to discerning minds that it would yield good fruits.

One of the most prominent results is the emergence of Solanke, who captained and shone brightly for Olumo United in this year’s NLO games at their Ogun State centre.

Many who knew the immensely gifted Nimi, who is fondly called Wonderboy, were not surprised that he bravely led the young team paraded by Olumo United against bigger and older oppositions.

Known simply as Nimi, the lad made history as the youngest ever goal scorer in the annals of league football in Nigeria, when he scored the equaliser for his side against Lasegski FC in an NLO game.

This remarkable feat has not gone unnoticed as the management of the third-tier domestic football league has acknowledged as one of the fruits of the programme to develop Nigerian football by encouraging younger footballers in organised football.

They have also promised to guide Nimi and such other young talents that emerge from the league through the proper way to stardom.

“Nimi is still very young and a secondary school student. We plan to continue his exposure by playing him against older players in various tournaments, within and outside the country.

“The real work has just started and we hope that the world will recognise his prowess in the field of play,” his proud father, Segun Solanke, enthused.

Nimi, who is a product of Provavios Sports Academy, owned by the older Solanke, is unfazed by his achievement. Rather, he said that he is determined to follow the example set by his idol, Cristiano Ronaldo, with his eyes firmly placed on the Ballon D’or.