From Streets to Stardom: Rufai Musa Sambo’s Rise from Youth Input Academy to Kada Warriors FC

By Zara Maisango 

From Youth Input Football Academy to the Kada Pitch: Meet Rufai Musa Sambo, Kada Warriors’ Newest Prospect.

Kaduna, Nigeria — In a story that highlights the power of persistence and grassroots development, 17-year-old Rufai Musa Sambo has made the leap from academy hopeful to one of the most promising young talents in Nigerian football. The Kaduna-born winger has earned a spot in Kada Warriors FC’s 30-man squad for the 2025 Nigeria Nationwide League One (Third Division) season—marking what many believe to be the beginning of a remarkable journey.

Sambo’s football career began at Youth Input Football Academy, a community-driven institution focused on nurturing young talent in Kaduna. Coaches at the academy fondly recall a dedicated teenager who was always the first to arrive at training and the last to leave. “He trained like his future depended on it—and maybe it did,” said academy director Abdulwaheed Yahaya Sai Coachi.

His hard work began to pay off during a regional tournament last year, where he caught the attention of scouts with his standout performance on the left wing. Known for his sharp vision, crisp passing, and composure under pressure, Sambo was quickly recognized as a “left-wing masterclass” talent.

Now donning the orange kit of Kada Warriors—a newly promoted side with ambitions to make an impact in the third division—Sambo is ready to prove he belongs on the big stage. Head coach Lawan Pele sees him as a central piece of the club’s youth-centered strategy. “He’s hungry, humble, and exactly the kind of player we need to build a legacy,” Pele remarked.

For Sambo, the opportunity is both a personal milestone and a message of hope. “This is for every kid in Kaduna who’s been told their dreams are too big. Keep pushing,” he said, a statement that has already begun inspiring young athletes across the region.

As the 2025 season kicks off, all eyes will be on Rufai Musa Sambo and the Kada Warriors. Could this be the first chapter in a legendary football story? Time will tell. But for now, Kaduna is watching—and cheering.

Follow the journey with #KadaToGlory as Sambo steps onto the national stage.

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