Olakunle Olusegun has made it to the Super Eagles squad. Born in Ilorin, the 23-year-old winger now wears FK Krasnodar’s jersey and gears up for a big friendly clash against Russia.
He broke onto the scene in 2017 during the NPFL/LaLiga U15 Promises. As captain of ABS FC U15, he dazzled with his skill and leadership. That youth tourney lits the spark.
Though the tournament no longer runs, it played a big role in shaping young stars like him. It handed him his first taste of real competition and put scouts on alert.
Fast forward to 2019—Olusegun got his big chance on the global stage. He featured for Nigeria’s U17 team at both the U17 AFCON and FIFA U17 World Cup that year.
He wore the green and white with pride, notching two goals in nine games across both tournaments. Scouts loved his pace, energy, and attacking threat.
European clubs started circling. In 2022, FK Krasnodar swooped. The Russian Premier League side knew what they were buying—raw talent with serious hunger.
He slotted into the team and quickly made himself useful. He’s now played 100 games for Krasnodar, grabbing 12 goals and 6 assists along the way.
In his 2024/25 season, he bagged two goals in 28 appearances. More importantly, he helped Krasnodar lift the Russian league title.
But goals don’t tell the full story. What sets Olusegun apart is his ability to adapt. He’s a forward who has played right-back and left-back without looking out of place.
That kind of tactical flexibility is rare. Coaches love a player who can switch roles mid-game and still hold his line. Olusegun offers that advantage.
He’s built like a winger—167cm and 67kg. Small frame, low center of gravity, quick turns, and hard to shake off the ball. He moves like a breeze.
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When he runs at defenders, he does it with speed and control. Football Talent Scout hails his acceleration, dribbling flair, and off-ball movement. He’s a full-back’s nightmare.
All that talent finally got the reward it deserved. On June 2, 2025, Nigeria called him up for the senior team for the friendly in Moscow.
It didn’t come easy. Several top names—Ndidi, Chukwueze, Aina, Iheanacho, Dessers—pulled out with injuries. Coach Eric Chelle needed a fresh spark. Olusegun got the nod.
The call-up meant the world to him. After Krasnodar’s title win, he told OwnGoal Nigeria, “They have forgotten me.” That raw honesty may have pushed things forward.
Now, the same coaches he once called out have given him the shirt. It’s a moment of redemption—and possibly the start of something bigger.
Fans didn’t hold back. On X, they cheered the news. Many asked why it took so long. Others hailed his consistency, versatility, and patience as the right mix.
He kept his head down, stayed in form, and let his boots do the talking. The fans noticed. So did the federation. The spotlight now turns to him.
A look at his career shows progress at every step—30 games in 2022–23, 42 in 2023–24, 28 in 2024–25. He switched roles but stayed effective.
From Ilorin streets to Russian glory and a Super Eagles debut, Olakunle Olusegun’s rise proves that grit, skill, and timing can rewrite any player’s story.
