By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde
Nigeria defender Tosin Demehin has described national teammate Osinachi Ohale as a role model to her.
The 21-year-old joined French top-flight outfit Stade de Riems last September thanks to his impressive outing at the 2022 U20 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica with Nigeria.
Demehin has form a solid partnership with Ohale as they produced two clean sheets against Olympic champions Canada, and debutants the Republic of Ireland on the road to their knockout stages qualification.
Still in the nascent stages of her career, her solid defensive style has already prompssted fans’ applause, but the youngster has revealed that it is another veteran centre defender in Ohale who she looks up to.
“Ohale has been like a role model to me and her commitment to the game makes me even want to work harder,” Demehin told
NigeriaFootball.
“Her experience in the game made me believe and trust in myself more than how I have always been.”
The former Nigeria U20 captain made her senior debut at the US Summer Series in 2021, against Portugal and has played the Super Falcons’ first three group games at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Following a successful starting role in three games, the former Rivers Angels star is awestruck by her incredible expliots on her first ever outing at the senior level on the global stage.
“I feel privileged and honoured playing in the senior women’s World Cup and it’s like a dream come true for me,” Demehin continued.
“It’s an opportunity that so many players have been praying for, so my getting it will never be taken for granted. I never saw it coming but I believe if I should work hard and believe in myself it will surely come my way.”
Tosin Demehin in Reims colour
On Monday, the West Africans will face European champions, England in the Round of 16 as they bid to equal the country’s best ever outing – quarter-final feat in 1999 and Demehin is hoping to improve on her good display.
“My personal target and ambition coming to the World Cup is to leave a mark by being among the young players that will make their debut for their country in the tournament and to help my team progress and make history,” the Reims star continued.
“The motivation behind the teams’ consistent form is hard work, dedication, determination, resilience, and unity amongst one another.
“I will describe the achievement as a massive one. Being disciplined and diligent in the role we played as the defenders of the team by protecting our goalkeeper and making sure we did not concede many goals from our opponents was what really helped us progress to the next round.”
As many footballers featuring at the Women’s World Cup, the Ondo state-born defender is also enjoying the amazing support of his family as she admits getting encouraging and soul-lifting words.
“It’s a great moment for them and they are so happy with how far you have progressed and they encourage me to keep getting better in every game and to improve on my good side and work on my weak side,” she added.
“I still hope to go further with the team and make more history.”
