'SHO TIME': Breakout CanPL star Shola Jimoh on CanMNT radar as 16-year-old earns Jesse Marsch's praise
It was from a number he didn’t recognize so, waiting in line for a feed of fish and chips, York United FC’s 16-year old talent Shola Jimoh opted not to open an unexpected WhatsApp message when it popped up.
Only later did he learn he’d just let Canadian Men’s National Team head coach Jesse Marsch — and an invitation to join the group for a pre-camp before their CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinals against Suriname — go unanswered.
Thankfully, it wasn’t long before Jimoh’s mother encouraged him to check the mysterious message — just in case.
“I didn’t know who it was so I didn’t open it,” the first-year Canadian Premier League winger told OneSoccer on Thursday. “When I did, I was shocked, totally shocked.”
𝙎𝙝𝙤 𝙏𝙞𝙢𝙚 🪄
— York United FC (@yorkutdfc) November 4, 2024
Our teenage superstar Shola Jimoh has been invited to the @CANMNT_Official training camp ahead of their Nations League quarter final match.
Amazing achievement Shola 💪#BetterTogether | #YorkUnitedFC pic.twitter.com/3oyrfBt7GP
Jimoh’s shock is understandable, especially when you review his meteoric football trajectory over the last two years. He’s gone from Toronto FC’s academy to signing his first pro contract with York United in the CPL, to now training with the national team, having joined Marsch’s group of North American-based players in Toronto on Tuesday.
GOAL 👑👑
— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) July 13, 2024
THE #CanPL ALSO HAS 16-YEAR-OLDS SCORING GOALS! ⚽️
Olusola Jimoh taps in @yorkutdfc’s 2nd of the match after a great play from Brian Wright 😎
🔴 Watch LIVE on OneSoccer pic.twitter.com/9KzZCJbuMg
And although Jimoh is amongst the youngest players on the pitch — Richard Chukwu, called up from Toronto FC for the pre-camp, is a few months older but also 16 — he said he feels just like another one of the guys.
“It’s been very interesting seeing the different levels across North America, and I think I’ve been showing my qualities against these players,” he said.
“They’ve really taken me under their wing. Some of them are also friends with some of my teammates (at York United). Like Joel Waterman is friends with Elijah Adekugbe. That connection helps me because it makes it easier for me to talk with them if I need anything.”
GOAL 👑@YorkUtdFC open the scoring vs. @ValourFootball as 16-year-old Shola Jimoh gets his second #CanPL goal 😎
— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) September 14, 2024
🔴 Watch LIVE on OneSoccer pic.twitter.com/lTNyaj8hxD
But Jimoh is not quite like some of the other players at Marsch’s camp.
For starters, he’s the only CPL player in attendance, having capped off an illuminating rookie season with the Nine Stripes with an unforgettable playoff performance, which included a goal and assist, against Atlético Ottawa in the quarter-finals. Simply by virtue of the league only being six-years old, Jimoh is still amongst the first to tread a pathway to wearing the Canada Soccer crest after having played in the CPL. Others in camp, like Waterman, Jonathan Sirois and James Pantemis, have also made the leap from the CPL but were much further along in their professional careers when they did.
Another point is that, while battling against MLS veterans like CF Montréal’s Samuel Piette or Toronto FC’s Jonathan Osorio, Jimoh is still in high school. He’s currently a Grade 11 student and lives with his family but has managed to impress both Marsch and York United head coach Benjamin Mora with how quickly he’s adapted.
“I don’t want to step out of line here,” Marsch told reporters on Tuesday. “For me, (Jimoh) should be playing every minute of almost every match. What I know, with my experiences, is that players of his age with his quality can develop very quickly. And can attract big suitors.”
Later in the week, Marsch added that Jimoh's talent has left an impression.
“He shows some real cleverness on the ball at times, some explosiveness in the way he plays. But also intelligence, in that when I try to give him little things to be thinking about, he’s able to apply them quickly. For a 16-year old that’s a really good sign,” he said.
For his part, Jimoh said he’s pleased by the opportunity — and the recognition — from Marsch and his staff, the latest thrill in a year of highs for the young footballer.
“It’s something I didn’t expect this early in my career, to come here at 16-years old, but I just have to keep putting the work in. Maybe, in a couple months or even a year, I could get an actual call up to the men’s national team,” he said.
GOAL🦝@yorkutdfc have secured a LATE equalizer in Ottawa!
— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) October 27, 2024
What a moment for the 16-year-old Shola Jimoh, as he slots home from inside the box in the 94th minute to make it 1-1 vs. Atlético Ottawa
Extra time looming now?
🔴Watch #CanPL LIVE on OneSoccer pic.twitter.com/EjP28GAhRW
That chance will inevitably come from delivering results on the pitch, something Jimoh eased into for York United. And when asked about his experiences in the CPL, he was quick to point out Mora’s hiring as a turning point in his campaign; he went from simply training in a professional environment to contributing for his club.
“I just started getting my opportunities and when I got them, I took them and got more recognition,” said Jimoh.
Amongst those opportunities was more minutes and more looks, which eventually led to the winger’s first professional goal against Cavalry on July 13. With that milestone, Jimoh cemented his place as the second youngest goalscorer in CPL history.
By season’s end, Jimoh had made 16 appearances for York United while potting four goals and two assists. Two of his goals proved to be match winners. His 598 minutes, however, indicate that the winger has only started to scratch the surface as he learns the ropes of his craft.
GOAL🦝@yorkutdfc have finally broken Atlético Ottawa's lines, and it's their 16 y/o winger, Shola Jimoh, who steps up with a big goal for the Nine-Stripes to put his team up 1-0 in the 70th minute
— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) October 6, 2024
🔴Watch #CanPL LIVE on OneSoccer pic.twitter.com/obgNsoqIhF
Jimoh said, even if he’s still hungry for more opportunity, his decision to leave Toronto FC’s academy for York United was the best possible path for his career. Given it’s led him to training with some of the country’s best players, it shouldn’t be surprising if more top young prospects opt to explore what the CPL has to offer.
“It’s led me to this spot and I’m grateful of my decision to leave (Toronto FC) and to come here,” he said. “And I’m hungry for more.”
He’ll get that chance as he’s slated to represent Canada’s U-17 national team later this month as they prepare to face Costa Rica and Mexico. It’ll be another opportunity for the Brampton-raised attacker to hone his skills and show why he’s one of the most exciting young talents to play in the CPL.
And you can be sure Marsch and the senior men’s team will continue to watch with growing interest.
