Karim Adeyemi credits Nigerian fufu for his remarkable Bundesliga speed

Karim Adeyemi has revealed that his extraordinary pace is not simply the product of intense gym work, but is also linked to a traditional Nigerian dish from his father’s family.

The Borussia Dortmund forward made the disclosure after scoring his famous goal against Chelsea in the Champions League in February 2023. At the time, Adeyemi was 21 and held the record for the highest speed recorded in the Bundesliga.

Rather than attributing his acceleration to an elaborate physical-training programme, the Germany international pointed to his Nigerian heritage and a dish he had learned about through his family roots.

In an interview reported by Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo after the match, Adeyemi said his remarkable running ability was connected to a food known as fufu, or “akpu” locally.

Fufu is a staple African dish and an important part of Nigerian food culture. It is a soft, thick and highly elastic dough made exclusively from fermented and boiled cassava. The dish is described as providing the body with substantial, long-lasting energy.

That source of energy has been associated with Adeyemi’s ability to reach remarkable speeds during competitive matches. His recorded figures have ranged between 36.6 and 36.7 kilometres per hour, with some measurements showing even higher peaks.

Those numbers have helped turn Adeyemi from a naturally quick attacking prospect into one of football’s most difficult players to contain in open space.