As Tottenham Hotspur prepares for a high-stakes clash against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium this Saturday, Spurs striker Dominic Solanke has opened up about his Nigerian heritage, ambitions at the club, and career highlights in an exclusive interview with Showmax.
Proud of His Nigerian Heritage
Solanke, whose father is of Nigerian descent and mother is English, expressed his desire to connect with his roots. Despite representing England internationally, the forward revealed he has never visited Nigeria but hopes to do so soon.
“I haven’t actually been yet,” Solanke shared. “I definitely need to take some time off soon and go and see my roots, so hopefully in the next few years.”
He also highlighted his admiration for Nigerian football stars. “My favourite Nigerian footballer currently has to be Ademola Lookman. We are very close friends. What he has been doing over the past few years has been nothing short of phenomenal,” said Solanke. He also praised Victor Osimhen, calling him “one of the best in the world.”
A Record-Breaking Signing for Spurs
This summer, Solanke made headlines with his high-profile move to Tottenham from Bournemouth in a deal worth up to £65 million. The forward had an outstanding season at Bournemouth, scoring 19 goals and providing three assists in 38 Premier League matches, finishing as the league’s fifth top scorer.
“It’s been a good start at Spurs, but there is a lot more to come from me and the team,” Solanke said. “We have an exciting team, great players, and a great manager. We want to win trophies and push for everything.”
Consistency and Growth Key to Success
Solanke attributes his recent success to consistency and personal growth, both on and off the pitch. “I think it really helped that everything came together for me nicely. I have had a few years of playing consistently week in, week out. I have matured on and off the pitch, which has been a great help,” he explained.
Learning from the Best
Throughout his career, Solanke has had the opportunity to play alongside footballing icons such as Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, and Eden Hazard. When asked who stood out the most, he singled out Hazard. “At the time, it would have to have been Eden Hazard. He was something really special,” Solanke said.
Looking Ahead to Manchester City Clash
As Spurs prepare to face defending champions Manchester City, Solanke will look to add to his tally of goals this season. The match promises to be a thrilling encounter and will be streamed live on Showmax Premier League this Saturday at 19:30.
Watch Solanke and Spurs live in action against Manchester City on Showmax Premier League. For R69 p/m, sign up for the Showmax Premier League mobile plan at showmax.com to catch all the excitement.
Credit: Showmax
