‘Playing in the NLO was wonderful’: Amusat Faruq’s journey from street football to bigger dreams

On the busy streets where football dreams are born with dusty balls and makeshift goals, a young man named Amusat Faruq Olamilekan first fell in love with the beautiful game.

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Long before the bright lights of stadiums, tactical sessions and Nationwide League One (NLO) matches, Faruq was just another young man pursuing football in his neighborhood with endless passion and ambition.

At only 10 years old, football became more than a hobby for him.

Every street match felt like a final, every touch of the ball had a purpose and every applause from friends strengthened a dream that continued to get stronger.

At the age of 12, Faruq joined JP Young Stars, the academy that laid the foundation for his football journey and helped transform raw talent into a promising prospect.

Years later, he still speaks with pride about the role the academy played in shaping his career.

While the stats may only show one goal and three assists this season, Faruq’s influence goes far beyond the numbers.

His intelligent movement, creativity on and off the ball and fearless attacking style made him one of the standout young players at the Alade Stadium during the NLO campaign.
His decisive moment came unexpectedly.

After returning from a football trial in Benin Republic, Faruq participated in a JP Young Stars match. Among the spectators that day was a scout who immediately noticed something special about the teenager.

His confidence, movement, creativity and ability to attack defenders instantly caught the eye, a performance that ultimately opened the door to a new chapter with Fedan FC.

Since joining the club, Faruq believes his football career has taken a big step forward.

“Joining Fedan FC transformed my career,” he said. “I gained experience, discipline and exposure. It helped me understand football better both on and off the field.”

Those around him already see flashes of brilliance. Coaches and teammates affectionately call him “Little Messi,” a nickname inspired by their admiration for the Argentine soccer legend.

For Faruq, Messi is more than just a football icon: he is a source of inspiration.

The teenager closely studies his style, hoping to emulate the creativity, intelligence and influence that made the Argentine one of the best players in football.

Faruq, who is still 18 and set to celebrate his 19th birthday in September, already has his sights set firmly on the future. His dream is to play professional football in Europe and become a role model for young players who come from similar backgrounds to him.

“I want people to admire me one day, in the same way that I admire Messi,” he said.

This season also marked another important milestone in his journey – his first experience playing in Nationwide League One.

For many young Nigerian footballers, the NLO represents an important platform to emerge from obscurity and into the limelight.

For Faruq, it was an unforgettable chapter in his development.
“It was wonderful,” he said with a smile. “I enjoyed every moment.”

From street football to academy development, and from local fields to the competitive phase of the NLO, the story of Amusat Faruq Olamilekan is still unfolding.

But one thing is already clear: the young man who once chased football barefoot through the streets now has dreams much bigger than the roads where it all began.