Super Eagles and Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, has revealed his tough experiences while playing for Manchester City, SMI reports

The former Sheffield Wednesday player acknowledged the significant role his older brother, Tom Dele-Bashiru, played in helping him navigate challenges and develop his skills as a footballer.

Fisayo began his career in Manchester City’s U-18 team, where he made three domestic league appearances, scoring three goals. In the 2019-2020 season, the 23-year-old progressed to the U-23 side, contributing one goal and one assist in 14 league matches.

Speaking ahead of Nigeria’s clash against Rwanda, the Lazio star told Making of Champions that his brother’s success inspired him during his early career struggles.

“When I was growing up, he was my biggest motivation,” Fisayo said. “He was doing so well while I struggled, especially during my time at Manchester City. Seeing him thrive pushed me to improve myself.”

Now plying his trade with Serie A side Lazio, Fisayo has been an integral part of Marco Baroni’s squad, registering one goal and three assists in their Europa League campaign.

On the international stage, the midfielder has made five appearances for the Super Eagles, netting two goals.

As Nigeria prepares for their final 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Rwanda, Fisayo will be aiming to continue his impressive form under interim coach Augustine Eguavoen.

In-form Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has described legendary all-time top scorer Rashidi Yekini as Nigeria’s greatest-ever star.

Yekini still leads the Super Eagles all-time goals chart with 37 goals from 58 matches.

Osimhen scored his 23rd international goal against Benin in Abidjan and he is now the second all-time leading scorer.

The 25-year-old striker said he has not bothered himself about breaking this goals record and would prefer Yekini is accorded his due respect.

“I really don’t care about this (record), I just try to do my job, try to win games, score goals and assist the team.

“If I equal it, I equal it…

“That does not take away the fact that Rashidi Yekini is the greatest striker the Super Eagles ever had.

“His record has stood for a very long time.

“So, I think we should really give him his flowers.”

Yekini won the 1994 AFCON, played at the 1994 and 1998 World Cups and was named CAF Player of the Year in 1993.

Top sources have told SCORENigeria that the Super Eagles had resolved to boycott Monday’s final 2025 AFCON qualifier against Rwanda to press home their disappointment over the monies they are yet to be paid by the NFF.

With a 2025 AFCON ticket safely in the bag, the players had planned to protest over the outstanding allowances and bonuses some dating as far as 2020 by staying away from the forthcoming home game.

It was learnt that it was only a heart-to-heart meeting with NFF president Ibrahim Gusau in Abidjan Thursday night that averted this pay strike.

The players, it was further gathered, were able to get some assurances from the NFF boss, who was taken aback by how they opened up to him on their outstanding payments.