Lazio midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru has expressed his surprise at being selected for Nigeria’s Super Eagles before his older brother, Tom Dele-Bashiru. The brothers, who both dreamt of representing Nigeria at the senior level, have taken different paths in their football journeys, but Fisayo’s rise has come quicker than expected.
Tom, 25, featured for Nigeria’s youth sides, including at the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup and the Olympics, but has yet to make his senior national team debut. In contrast, 23-year-old Fisayo, who hadn’t played for Nigeria’s youth teams, earned his first call-up in 2023 and quickly made his mark by scoring two goals and providing an assist in key matches, including a winning goal in a 1-0 victory over Libya in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
Reflecting on his unexpected rise to the senior team, Fisayo shared his gratitude:
“I’ve always been surprised that I would be given an opportunity to play for my country at this stage of my career. I’m grateful for the opportunity and do not take it for granted.”
Fisayo also touched on the support from his brother Tom, currently playing for Watford in the English Championship:
“We laugh over it, and I intend to make him proud like he has been making the family proud.”
As Fisayo looks to earn his sixth cap for the Super Eagles in the upcoming clash against Libya, both brothers continue to push each other in their respective careers, with family pride at the heart of their ambitions.