Isaiah Ahmed: Van Persie’s player inspired by Obi Mikel and Troost-Ekong, dreams of Flying Eagles spot

18-year-old defensive midfielder who is currently making waves at SC Heerenveen in the Dutch Eredivisie, Isaiah Ahmed, has expressed his strong desire to represent Nigeria on the international stage, Soccernet.ng reports.

Born to Nigerian parents, Ahmed has always felt a deep connection to his roots, and his ambition to play for the Nigeria U20 team reflects his commitment to contributing to the football legacy of the country.

Currently playing under the management of former Arsenal and Manchester United forward Robin van Persie, Ahmed made his debut against NAC Breda, coming on in the 82nd minute to replace Illias Sebaoui.

“Recently, I made my debut at the highest level of Dutch football under my coach, Robin van Persie. It has always been my dream to represent Nigeria, and I am eager to have the opportunity to play for the Nigeria U-20 team,” Kenzel told Soccernet.ng.

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Under the mentorship of the former Dutch international, Ahmed has rapidly developed his skills and grown in confidence.

“Playing under Robin van Persie has been an incredible experience. As a former world-class striker, he brings so much knowledge and insight to the game. Learning from someone with his experience has helped me grow as a player, both technically and mentally. His passion for the sport is contagious, and he’s taught me to always strive for excellence and stay focused on my goals,” he said.

Ahmed’s admiration for the Nigerian national team and their stars drives his ambition to wear the green and white jersey.

His role models include former Chelsea player John Obi Mikel and the current captain of the Super Eagles, William Troost-Ekong, who have inspired him with their leadership on the pitch.

“My all-time idol is John Obi Mikel because he plays the same positions as I do, and his qualities align with the type of player I am. My current idol is William Troost-Ekong because, like me, he grew up in the Netherlands and eventually chose to play for Nigeria. I really admire the way he leads the team; he is a true leader,” Ahmed noted.

For Ahmed, football is more than just a sport—it’s a lifelong passion. “My greatest passion for football started from a very young age, almost as soon as I could walk. I began playing with a ball, and ever since then, my love for the game has only continued to grow,” he explained.

When asked about his favourite jersey number, Ahmed shared his connection to the number six, which reflects his position on the field and his admiration for Paul Pogba.

“My favourite jersey number is six because I play in the number six position on the field. Additionally, Paul Pogba is one of my idols, and when he played for Juventus, I always watched his clips on YouTube; he also wore the number six at that time,” he said.

Off the pitch, Ahmed’s Nigerian identity extends to his love for Afrobeats, a genre that keeps him connected to home. “I listen to a lot of Nigerian music and absolutely love Afrobeats. I also grew up with it, listening to artists like Burna Boy, P-Square, Davido, and Asake. A few weeks ago, I went to a Davido concert in Amsterdam,” he revealed.

Ahmed’s focus on representing Nigeria reflects his deep connection to his heritage, much like Troost-Ekong, Ademola Lookman, and Ola Aina, who all switched allegiance to honour their roots.