Dele Alampasu Cites Ex-Chelsea Star Courtois As Footballing Idol; Shares Advice From Enyeama

Published: April 18, 2020

Dele Alampasu has cited former Chelsea star Thibaut Courtois as his footballing idol and revealed that he had a chance meeting with the Belgium international while he was undergoing trials with Racing Genk six years ago.

The 2013 FIFA U17 World Cup Golden Glove winner has gotten his career back on track following his move to Latvian club Ventspils in February 2020 after several months of being inactive.

When asked to name his idol, Alampasu told allnigeriasoccer.com : "Thibaut Courtois is the goalkeeper I really like, I met him at Racing Genk in 2014 but we didn't talk, he's a big player so I couldn't approach him.

"He was a young goalkeeper doing well, I used to watch him on YouTube. He's calm, excellent in catching and ball distribution.

"Why I like him is because he uses his left foot. I use both feet but my left foot is stronger, I use my left foot to play goal kicks and my right for service. "

Alampasu went on to reveal that Nigeria great Vincent Enyeama has inspired him to become a better goalkeeper and kept encouraging him when he was searching for a club in Europe.

"I look up to Vincent Enyeama. When I met him in Abuja, he gave me words of encouragement. I went to meet him in his room at Bolton White Hotel.

"He's like a father, role model to me, he still gives me advice to this day. He told me to keep working hard that I have the talent even when I was without a club.

"The day I signed for Ventspils he was the first person to congratulate me," Alampasu added.

It is all but confirmed that the 23-year-old Alampasu will make his European debut later in the year when Ventspils begin their campaign in the qualifying round of the Europa League.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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