When Junior Nsemba walks out at Wembley on Saturday afternoon, he shall be following within the footsteps of a well-known member of the family. ‘I’ll positively ship him a photograph of the pitch so it brings again reminiscences for him,’ says the 19-year-old Wigan Warriors prop.
The recipient of that image? Nsemba’s uncle Rigobert Music. The previous Liverpool and West Ham defender performed at Wembley within the days of the Twin Towers, captaining Cameroon in a 2-0 pleasant defeat towards Glenn Hoddle’s England in 1997.
Music – who’s married to the sister of Nsemba’s father Pascal – is the most-capped footballer in Cameroon’s historical past. He appeared in 4 World Cups and managed them on the final event in Qatar, earlier than being sacked in February.
‘My dad at all times tells me what a superb participant he was,’ says Nsemba, whose dad and mom emigrated to Wigan from Cameroon previous to his beginning. ‘It is laborious to reside as much as his title as a result of he is performed many nice issues. He is not been to a recreation but however hopefully I can get him down in the future.’
Nsemba began out in soccer himself, taking part in for native junior membership Winstanley Warriors. His football-mad dad dreamed of him emulating his uncle within the sport. Nevertheless, Nsemba quickly discovered he was extra suited to an oval ball than a spherical one.
Junior Nsemba (pictured) will observe in his well-known soccer uncle’s steps when he takes to the Wembley turf on Saturday
The Wigan prop’s facet will tackle Warrington Wolves within the Problem Cup last in London
His uncle is former soccer star Rigobert Music, who performed for each Liverpool and West Ham
‘I simply wasn’t actually having fun with soccer,’ admits the towering teenager. ‘I used to be getting moved positions on a regular basis, from striker to centre again, and I requested my dad if there was one other sport I might check out.
‘Wigan St Judes was throughout the street from Winstanley and as quickly as I touched a rugby ball, I fell in love with the game. At about 13, I received informed I needed to decide and I selected rugby.’
Nsemba was quickly noticed by present Wigan head coach Matt Peet, who introduced him into the Warriors fold and handed him his Tremendous League debut aged 18 in 2022.
When he scored his first senior attempt in a Problem Cup win at Leeds final yr, BBC commentator Dave Woods got here out with the memorable line: ‘Bear in mind, bear in mind, Junior Nsemba.’ And the 6ft 5in Nsemba has since proven he isn’t prone to be forgotten, establishing himself as a first-team common and rising as one among rugby league’s greatest younger abilities.
This season, he has taken his likelihood with the Tremendous League champions within the absence of his hero and mentor Willie Isa, who broke his ankle in April. ‘Once I began watching rugby, Willie was the particular person I seemed as much as,’ admits Nsemba. ‘I am masking his place now and I really feel like I’m doing a superb job.
‘However earlier than and after video games, I chat to Willie and ask what he thinks I can do higher. I’m fortunate to have him as a mentor.’
Nsemba can also be guided by his Christian religion, proudly displaying Mail Sport his tattoo of a lion, lamb and cross on his proper forearm. ‘I am going to church on the Sundays after I can,’ he says. ‘Earlier than video games, I take heed to a little bit of drill, R&B, then I change to gospel to calm me down earlier than a match.’
He admits protecting calm shall be tougher than regular earlier than right this moment’s Problem Cup last towards Sam Burgess’ Warrington Wolves. ‘It is a huge event and I’m nervous,’ says Nsemba, who could have 15 members of the family and pals within the crowd.
Music captained his Cameroon facet in a 2-0 defeat towards England on the previous Wembley in 1997
Music, married to the sister of Nsemba’s father Pascal, is the most-capped footballer in Cameroon’s historical past
Nsemba defined how he turned his again on soccer years in the past to pursue a profession in rugby
‘Since I began taking part in rugby, I’ve at all times needed to realize one thing and even attending to Wembley is an excellent achievement. It is a dream come true.’
Ought to he proceed his present trajectory, it won’t be lengthy earlier than Nsemba realises one other dream by taking part in for his nation – albeit will probably be a special one to his uncle.
‘There’s only a few Cameroonian gamers in rugby league and it’s particular being one among them,’ provides Nsemba. ‘However it might be wonderful to play for England in the future. If I can proceed to work laborious and do what the coaches are asking, then hopefully sooner or later in my life I’ll get there.’
