Nigeria, Sept. 13 -- In February 1979, Port-Harcourt welcomed a son into the George family. His name was Igeniwari.

The George household breathed football. His eldest brother, Perekebina, played at the grassroots level. Alari, the second, was a grafter in midfield who wore the colours of Sharks FC, later NAPC of Warri, and even moved to Cameroon for football.

Then came Finidi George, who would etch his name in Nigerian folklore: Super Eagles winger, AFCON 1994 champion, and Champions League winner with Ajax.

Igeniwari, the youngest, absorbed it all. Watching his brothers step onto pitches gave him a mirror of what he wanted: to belong to the game.

"He was the calm one in the family, very talented yet, very respectful. Football was his...