Nsemba Set to Follow in Famous Uncle’s Footsteps at Wembley
When Wigan Warriors prop Junior Nsemba takes the field at Wembley on Saturday afternoon, he will be following in the footsteps of a renowned family member. The 19-year-old plans to send his uncle, former Liverpool and West Ham defender Rigobert Song, a picture of the iconic stadium to bring back memories.
Song, the most-capped footballer in Cameroon’s history, captained his national team in a 2-0 friendly defeat against England at the old Wembley in 1997. Nsemba’s father, Pascal, is Song’s brother-in-law, and the young prop admits it’s challenging to live up to his uncle’s legacy.
“Since I started playing rugby, I’ve always wanted to achieve something, and even getting to Wembley is a very good achievement. It’s a dream come true.”
Nsemba initially pursued football, playing for the local junior club Winstanley Warriors, but soon found his true calling in rugby union. “I just wasn’t really enjoying football,” he says. “I was getting moved positions all the time, and I asked my dad if there was another sport I could try out.” The moment he touched a rugby ball, Nsemba knew he had found his passion.
Wigan head coach Matt Peet spotted Nsemba’s potential and brought him into the Warriors’ setup, making his Super League debut in 2022. The 6ft 5in prop has since established himself as a first-team regular and emerged as one of rugby league’s brightest young talents.
This season, Nsemba has stepped up in the absence of his mentor, Willie Isa, who suffered a broken ankle in April. “When I started watching rugby, Willie was the person I looked up to,” Nsemba admits. “I’m covering his position now and I feel like I am doing a good job.”
Nsemba’s Christian faith also plays a vital role in his preparation, with the young prop listening to gospel music to calm his nerves before matches. “Before games, I listen to a bit of drill, R&B, then I switch to gospel to calm me down,” he says.
Despite the nerves, Nsemba is excited about the opportunity to play at Wembley in the Challenge Cup final against Warrington Wolves. “Since I started playing rugby, I’ve always wanted to achieve something, and even getting to Wembley is a very good achievement. It’s a dream come true.”
While Nsemba’s path has diverged from his uncle’s, he still takes pride in being one of the few Cameroonian players in rugby league. “But it would be amazing to play for England one day,” he adds, reflecting on his aspirations for the future.
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