Kid wonder Augustine Ajumouh is a sight to behold on the ball.
The 10-year-old pupil of Mulero Junior College, Iyana-Ipaja, Lagos trickery, intelligence and dazzling displays made friends and fans alike nickname him Messi, after the Argentine megastar, even at his tender age.
“When it comes to playing football, I can match my mates and even those older than me on the pitch,” he said confidently.
“I play football better with my left foot than the right one because that’s the foot I am comfortable with when playing football. I can dribble many of my age-mates send them the wrong way with my left foot, he stated.”
“I enjoy being a midfielder. I have seen Messi, who is my role model play in this position. One of the things I like about football is that one can really express himself with the ball. I like dribbling and creating chances for strikers to score goals.”
The budding talent recounted how it all began.
“I started playing football on the streets of Akowonjo, Egbeda, Lagos until someone told coach Ismail Adeniran about me and brought me to Bora Football Academy.”
Austin wants to be a midfield general, just like his model, Lionel Messi.
The left-foot wizard has really impacted on his game and, the burgeoning talent is also eager to give a commanding presence in the midfield.
“I like Messi, his movement, his dribbles are unbelievable. He has a big influence in midfield.
“I watch him on TV and try to learn one or two tricks from him,” he admitted.
In times of trophy haul, the Bora Football Academy player, Akowonjo, was happy to reel out his little achievements to the correspondent.
“I won a silver medal at Oke-Odan Oba’s Cup; I also won the Alhaja Nimotu Adamasunle Championship bronze medal in 2018 and 2019 respectively.”
His coach, Adeniran, was effusive in his praise of the midfielder’s talent, tipping him for greatness.
“Players like Austin come once in a generation. I have been looking for a player who uses both feet.
He said, “I was introduced to Austin by a very good player and a friend who had seen him play in some competitions on the streets.
“I decided to try him out in my club (Bora) and today, I thank God I did. I contacted his parents, especially the mother who had the faith in me to bring the best out of her son.
“I was lucky to meet him when he was playing street football. He’s a gem. He can use both feet. Not that I hate those who use right foot, but left-footed players are like diamonds, you need to dig deep to locate and find them but I got Austin on a platter of gold.
“Meanwhile, his left leg is the best and he has scored crucial goals for Bora Football Academy on many occasions, with it.
“I cherish left-footers than others because they are scarce. Austin is a good midfielder and a left-footer at that. He’s a gemstone. If he should leave Bora (Football Academy) today, I hope it would be for a football club where he can get the very best, ‘’says coach Adeniran.
Austin is very ambitious, he has tall dreams. He believes he could be a better player by turning out for Barcelona’s famed youth academy, La Masia.
“I would love to start with Nigerian clubs but, I don’t think they have provisions for under-age players, they want big boys.
“So, a move to Barca’s La Masia would be good for me. I believe it’s the best place for young players like me to grow,” he said.

By Toni Ufoh