Pride of Sissala: Meet Africa’s Version Of Andre Iniesta In Young Taslim Nuhu

 

Football talent is usually described as generational with world class footballers coming in badges led by the recent duopoly of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. The football ecosystem enjoyed special privilege of watching these unique talents for over a decade and half. The emergence of Kylian Mbappe and Erling Halland emphasized the fact that football talent is a generational blessing.

Africa, Ghana and the northern belt of Ghana to be precise, have witnessed different classy footballers led by Baba Yara, Malik Jabir, Abedi Pele and the current class of Ismail Ganiu and his peers. The game in short, is time bound with each pool of talent taking centre stage in turns. The current signs from young Nuhu Taslim, is however threatening to take the world by storm.

At just a tender age of 12 years, Ghanaian coaches can be rest assured of having a football magician to turn the fortunes of the country in the not too distant future. Nuhu Taslim, a native of Naa-Bugbelle in the Sissala land, left the football family in awe with his blistering quick feet. As a midfielder, Taslim defies adjectival description with his defense splitting passes, deft touches, emphatic finishing and command from the center of the pitch. The youngster, a student of Wa Municipal Model Primary, spiced his media hype with world class goals in the maiden edition of Northern Derby, a championship based in the upper west region.

Tipped to monopolize the annual U-12 Milo games staged in Lawra in the Upper West region, Taslim did not only conquer new fans, he confirmed his class as a then 11-year old chap. Classical passing accuracy, instinctive volleys, deadly free kicks and mesmerizing footwork left the National PE Coordinator wondering whether the bony footballer wasn’t an alien.

When asked which club he prefers to join at this stage of his life, the much sort after midfielder mentioned Arsenal FC, Ajax Amsterdam and the iconic FC Barcelona as his preferred venues.

“I will actually like to join Arsenal FC to show the world what I can do. God gave me natural talent but I need the support, the platform and the technical assistance from coaches to help me reach the peak of my talent”, Taslim told 442gh.com exclusively.

When asked on his role model as a player, the teen icon mentioned Spanish maestro and FC Barcelona legend, Andres Iniesta as his inspiration.

“I spend my time and father’s resource on you tube after school. I watch a lot of videos from Andres Iniesta, Jack Wilshere, Kevin De Bruyne and Luka Modric. They teach me a lot of  skills even from afar. Sometimes I slow down the video just to watch how they do it at that pace. As for Iniesta, I can watch all day long. I just want to join the Academy side of Arsenal FC and the world will remember Nuhu Taslim just like my Spanish role model”, Taslim concluded.

With countless Player of the tournament awards under his belt, Ghanaian football family might just be watching a global star in disguise. Adjectival description of N-Nyiah Taslim Nuhu might be cosmetic for now but remember you head of Nuhu Taslim on 442gh.com.

If Mbappe and Halland is the natural replacement for Messi and Ronaldo, it will be naturally save to say Taslim is the God-sent replacement for Andres Iniesta.

Note: The Writer is a classroom teacher and PE Master for Taslim and had the chance of watching him over and over.

By: Saani Abacha

Editor 442gh.com