Sports

Cannavaro Was A Huge Influence On Me- Bameyi

Published

3 years ago

June 3, 2023

Flying Eagles of Nigeria captain Daniel Bameyi in Exclusive interview with FIFA Media on Saturday 2023, he is the youngest captain at Argentina 2023; he speaks about Nigerians’ passion for football, his unlikely idol and the passion for football in his homeland.

, his biggest influence, how Nigeria managed to defeat Argentina in Argentina and his belief they will win this FIFA U-20 World Cup.

Bameyi made his senior international debut at only 16, and is now the youngest captain and smallest centre-back at the FIFA U-20 World Cup Argentina 2023. He is, like Cannavaro in Germany, making a mockery of the size-matters theory when it comes to defending. Beneath Cerro Mercedario, one of the highest peaks in the Andes on Wednesday, he was insurmountable as the Flying Eagles pulled off a nation-silencing upset of the hosts, record six-time champions and title favourites.

Can you tell us about growing up in Nigeria and how you got into football?

Daniel Bameyi: As you’re growing up, there are so many challenges. Back there in Nigeria things haven’t been that easy. But this is part of us. And growing up I always felt this love for football. Anytime I wasn’t playing football, I just wanted to be involved, to be there watching, to feel the joy.

Which players have had the biggest influence on your career?

I’m only 17. When I was growing up, my coach – I don’t know how he did get a video of Cannavaro – but he played it for me and said, ‘Hey, boy, sit down and watch’. I’m a defender, I like to defend. I can play from the centre, from right-back, from midfield. So he’d just go and get me old videos of Cannavaro, when he was playing in Italy, and say, ‘This is the kind of style of football you [should] play. You should be looking up to this person. I saw old clips, the ability and spirit he had in the team. Cannavaro had a huge influence on me.

How intimidating was it playing Argentina in Argentina with all that noise?

Wow, wow, wow, wow. It was a great game, I must say. It’s a great national team we’re talking about, a very amazing team. They are very complete. This team is very special. If you watch the game, they made us suffer. We did suffer a lot in the game, but we know this Nigeria spirit. The team wasn’t intimidated because we have been in this situation before. We were playing in Egypt against the hosts, and we came out successfully (Nigeria won 1-0 in Cairo at the U-20 AFCON in February). So we were ready for everything. We knew we were going to play against everything, against the hosts, and at the end of the day we are happy we came out victorious.

How did you feel when the final whistle sounded?

Wow, wow. I was feeling like, ‘We made it, we did it’. But this was just [the first game] of the knockout stage. We still have three other games to play. We had to enjoy it for the moment, but then focus on the next game we have to play.

Next up is Korea Republic. What do you think of them as a team?

First of all, there is no small team in the World Cup. Every team in this competition is good. You must respect every team. Then any team in the knockout stage if obviously very good. I think the Koreans are a very good team. They have beaten other very good teams. I think they have very good players. We have a lot of respect for them.

How proud are your family of you?

They are very proud. They feel very blessed. They say a very big thank you to FIFA and the Nigerian nation as a whole. They are very happy.

Do you believe Nigeria will win this FIFA U-20 World Cup?

Yeah. This is football, everything can happen, any team is beatable. As my coach would say, we just have to be disciplined, dedicated, do our job, concentrate. Let’s see how it goes, but I believe in this team. We can do it.

What would the title mean to the people of Nigeria?

Wow, it would go a long way because there are so many kids out there, who started where we started, and are looking up to us. It would go a long way. I would also give hope to those who are coming from the streets. It would make us proud.

Can you describe the passion Nigerians have for football?

Wow, wow, it’s so exceptional. We have so many numbers of talents out there in Nigeria. If you are there, you will see!

What do you want to achieve in your career?

I just want to be great in this profession. I just want to achieve, win trophies, live a good life. Above all, I want to be disciplined, I want to unite the world with football. As FIFA always says, football unites the world, so I want to unite the world, to being peace and loving memories to the world.

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Sports

SWAN President Calls for Gender-Fair Reporting in Sports Journalism

Published

17 hours ago

October 26, 2026

The Gleamer

By Joel Ajayi

The President of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Isaiah Kemje Benjamin, has urged sports journalists to eliminate gender stereotypes and bias in their reports to promote fairness, inclusion and greater visibility for women in sports.

Benjamin made the call on Monday in Abuja while delivering a presentation titled “Gender-Sensitive Journalism: Removing Gender Stereotypes and Bias in Sports Reporting” at the Annual Women in Sports Leadership Training/Seminar for Journalists, organised by the Women Commission of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC).

He said sports journalists play a critical role in shaping public opinion, influencing athletes’ visibility and determining which achievements receive recognition, sponsorship and investment.

According to him, the way the media reports women in sports can either reinforce existing barriers or help dismantle them.

Benjamin explained that gender-sensitive journalism requires fairness, accuracy, equality and inclusion, stressing that it does not mean giving female athletes favourable coverage or shielding them from legitimate criticism.

He identified common forms of bias in sports reporting, including giving men’s competitions greater prominence, focusing on female athletes’ appearance rather than performance, defining women by their marital or family status, and questioning their competence in leadership positions.

The SWAN president urged journalists to adopt respectful language, apply consistent professional standards and extend coverage beyond national teams to domestic leagues, grassroots competitions, female coaches, referees and sports administrators.

Using Nigeria’s sporting landscape as an example, he said the achievements of the Super Falcons deserved sustained analysis beyond match results, including discussions on investment, player development, professional leagues and grassroots structures.

He also noted that digital platforms offered opportunities to expand coverage of women’s sports but warned journalists against sensationalism, online harassment and sexist commentary.

Benjamin proposed seven measures, including gender-sensitive editorial guidelines, regular coverage audits, diversified sources, professional development, stronger grassroots reporting and measurable progress.

He called on SWAN to collaborate with the NOC, sports federations, leagues and clubs to improve access to information and strengthen women’s visibility in sports.

He urged journalists to ensure that athletes are judged by their performances and achievements rather than gender stereotypes.

“Gender-sensitive journalism must be fair, not favourable,” he said, emphasising that responsibility for change rests with reporters, editors, broadcasters, photographers and digital publishers.

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