WARRI (NIGERIA) – Twelve-year-old Chinonso Eche hailing from Nigeria set a world record for the most consecutive soccer ball touches in one minute while deftly balancing a second ball on his head. The 12-year-old boy is now eyeing taking his skills abroad when he grows up.
Eche, who hails from the city of Warri in southern Nigeria, is now an online sensation with videos of his tricks with the ball going viral.
Inspired by videos of footballers Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, as well as retired Nigerian midfielder Jay-Jay Okocha, Eche said he taught himself the tricks.
“Nobody taught me but my father made an impact in my life by showing me some videos… and I picked it up from there,” he said.
He can easily manage as many as 111 football touches in a minute while a second ball is balanced on his head. This has earned him a place in the 2021 edition of the Guinness World Records. It is for the first time it is included in the annual reference book.
Now supported by a management firm, Eche hopes his talents will fetch him an international career.
“My dream is to become a footballer and international freestyler, and travel all over the world,” he said.
He now targets 2,000 consecutive touches, while balancing a ball on his head.