When Junior Nsemba steps out at Wembley on Saturday afternoon, he will be following in the footsteps of a famous family member. “I’ll definitely send him a photo of the pitch so it brings back memories for him,” says the 19-year-old Wigan Warriors prop.
The recipient of that photo? Nsemba’s uncle Rigobert Song. The former Liverpool and West Ham defender played at Wembley in the Twin Towers era and captained Cameroon in a 2-0 friendly defeat to Glenn Hoddle’s England in 1997.
Song – who is married to the sister of Nsemba’s father Pascal – is the most capped footballer in Cameroon’s history. He competed in four World Cups and officiated at the last tournament in Qatar before being sacked in February.
“My father always tells me what a good player he was,” says Nsemba, whose parents emigrated to Wigan from Cameroon before his birth. “It’s hard to live up to his name because he did a lot of great things. He hasn’t been to a game yet, but hopefully I can get a hold of him one day.’
Nsemba himself started in football, playing for local junior club Winstanley Warriors. His football-mad father dreamed that he would emulate his uncle in the sport. However, Nsemba soon discovered that he was more suited to an oval ball than a round one.
Junior Nsemba (pictured) will follow in the footsteps of his famous football uncle when he takes to the Wembley pitch on Saturday
The Wigan side will take on Warrington Wolves in the Challenge Cup final in London
His uncle is former football star Rigobert Song, who played for both Liverpool and West Ham
“I just didn’t really enjoy football,” the towering teenager admits. ‘I was constantly being changed positions, from striker to centre-back, and I asked my father if I could try another sport.
‘Wigan St Judes was just across the road from Winstanley and as soon as I touched a rugby ball I fell in love with the sport. Around the age of 13 I was told I had to make a decision and I chose rugby.’
Nsemba was quickly spotted by current Wigan head coach Matt Peet, who brought him into the Warriors fold and handed him his Super League debut in 2022 at the age of 18.
When he scored his first senior try in a Challenge Cup win at Leeds last year, BBC commentator Dave Woods came up with the memorable line: ‘Remember, remember, Junior Nsemba.’ And the 6ft 2in Nsemba has since shown he is unlikely to be forgotten, establishing himself as a first-team regular and emerging as one of rugby league’s best young talents.
This season he has taken his chance with the Super League champions in the absence of his hero and mentor Willie Isa, who broke his ankle in April. “When I started watching rugby, Willie was the person I looked up to,” Nsemba admits. ‘I now fill his position and I feel I am doing a good job.
‘But before and after the games I talk to Willie and ask what he thinks I can do better. I’m fortunate to have him as a mentor.”
Nsemba is also guided by his Christian faith, proudly showing Mail Sport his tattoo of a lion, lamb and cross on his right forearm. “If I can, I go to church on Sundays,” he says. “Before the game I listen to a little drill, R&B, and then I switch to gospel to calm me down before a game.”
He admits it will be harder to keep calm than usual ahead of today’s Challenge Cup final against Sam Burgess’s Warrington Wolves. “It’s a big event and I’m nervous,” said Nsemba, who will have 15 family members and friends in the crowd.
Song captained his Cameroon side in a 2–0 defeat to England at the old Wembley in 1997
Song, married to the sister of Nsemba’s father Pascal, is the most capped footballer in Cameroon’s history
Nsemba explained how he turned his back on football years ago to pursue a rugby career
“Ever since I started playing rugby I’ve always wanted to achieve something and even going to Wembley is a really good achievement. It’s a dream come true.’
Should he continue on his current trajectory, it won’t be long before Nsemba realizes a new dream by playing for his country – albeit a different one to his uncle’s.
“There are very few Cameroonian players in rugby league and it is special to be one of them,” Nsemba added. ‘But it would be great to play for England one day. If I can continue to work hard and do what the coaches ask, then hopefully I’ll get there at some point in my life.”