West Bromwich Albion of England defender, Semi Ajayi has come out with a startling confession that he loves eating his mother’s delicately prepared Nigerian meals, especially when she makes them at her home in Lagos, megasportsarena.com reports.
Though Ajayi was born in London and grew up loving European meals, the Super Eagles’ rookie, who shot to limelight while playing for Rotherham United in the lower division English Championship, says he has since developed a sweet tooth for his mum’s Nigerian meals.
The 26-year-old versatile player, who has made marks as a central defender, right-back and holding midfielder, with a chain of goals to boot, further admitted that he got closer to Nigerian meals after joining the national team.
He, however, refuted any insinuations that it was a tough decision for him to switch nationality, having played for England at youth level, as the soft-spoken lanky lad recounted that recalled that he had earlier being in the under-20 team, Flying Eagles’ camp before getting his senior call-up, which made it an easy decision for him to play for Nigeria.
He subsequently got his Eagles’ debut against Seychelles during an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in September 2018 and, despite not being included in the country’s squad to the competition proper in Egypt, Ajayi insists it has been a great honour for him being in the team.
Having regained his spot in the squad and even edged more popular Leon Aderemi Balogun in the perking order for the past three matches, during which time Kenneth Omeruo had been out with injury, Ajayi says he is happy to have played 11 times since his first game for the Eagles.
He recalled his first visit to Nigeria with his parents and confessed that the food his mother prepared, which he enjoyed to the fullest, was part of the reasons that swayed him to make up his mind quickly and decide to play for the country at senior level.
Ajhayi disclosed: “It’s a really nice country; mum’s family is in Lagos. She makes Nigerian food at home but it’s different when you go out there and get the real thing. The ingredients are that bit fresher I think. It’s lovely food; I really enjoy it.
“As a youngster, we would go there every two years to visit my mum and dad’s families… it was nice to meet my grandparents and all my cousins. The decision was made a long time ago. I decided to play for the U20s when I was 19 and the goal was always to play for the first team.”
