Rise of a Football God

Unlike in other matches, Sam did not call his parents that day on getting back to his hotel room. In the game against Manchester City, everyone of the Enyimba FC players ran themselves to the ground.

They were all exhausted after returning to their hotel rooms.

With the aid of relaxation music decided by Austin, his roommate, Sam slept immediately after taking his bath to freshen up and as soon as he laid on the bed.

While Sam slept, he had a dream.

It was hazy, he could not pinpoint the exact jersey that he wore but, in the dream, he saw himself lifting the UEFA champions league trophy excitedly.

In another part of the dream, he entered a picture with the UEFA champions league trophy alongside his parents, his sister, and an unknown girl.

Heck, who was she?

'Sam…' He heard his name being called, but it was echoing.

'Sam, Sam…'

"Sam!"

"Ah, what?" He was jolted awake, deprived of the opportunity to explore his sweet dream even more.

Once he woke up, noting that it was a dream, he glared at his captain. "You just interrupted a very sweet dream".

Austin stared at him. "Oh, really? Was it a wet dream?"

"F*ck off!"

They both laughed.

Sam could not help but notice though that Austin was already dressed. "Where are you going?"

Austin looked at him weirdly. "Is that even a question? Go and take your bath, our flight will be leaving in an hour".

"F*ck! I slept that late?"

Sam jumped up from the hotel bed, rushed into the bathroom to take his bath and in 30 minutes, he was already set with his luggage bag.

Alongside his captain, they left the hotel room, met up with their teammates and coach before leaving the hotel. Outside the hotel, fans waited for them, fans who were eager to get autographs and pictures.

But since they had a tight flight schedule to meet, they could not entertain the fans this time, simply waving at them to acknowledge them before leaving.

The flight back to Nigeria was a long one but after a few hours, the plane finally touched down in the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, the federal capital territory of Nigeria.

After that, most of the players separated at the airport. The FIFA Club World Cup was the only active football tournament in football due to a short break.

After the tournament, Coach Yemi Daniel took advantage of the short break, giving his players a little holiday to spend with their families.

This was why after biding farewell to his coach and his teammates, Sam took the next flight to the airport in Asaba, Delta State.

He was going home.

From Asaba, he took an uber drive to Abraka.

Finally returning back to his home, Sam was treated to a triumphant welcome that was organized by his parents and their neighbors.

Mrs. Moses was prepared for the occasion, cooking enough jollof rice to feed a whole party of people.

And as the people trooped in, asking questions about the occasion, she explained with immense pride. "My son is playing for Enyimba FC and today, he is coming back home, we're celebrating it".

"Do you want a second serving? Don't be shy, there's enough food".

The middle-aged woman was in a good mood and when Sam finally touched down, she was the first to run towards the uber drive with joy printed all over her face. "My boy is back!" She screamed.

If Sam was not taller than her, he would have been suffocated by the tight embrace as his mom lifted him off the ground. "Woah, mom!"

"Shut up and let me hug you!"

Sam was left speechless. "Mom…," he complained. Continue your journey on empire

"Sam!!!" Sophia followed behind her mom, eagerly waiting for her turn to hug her brother and immediately after his mom left him, she jumped in his embrace. With a big smile, Sam hugged her bag.

His sister added more weight compared to the last time he saw her but due to his physicality as a professional football player, he easily carried her.

And finally, Mr. Moses walked into the scene. "Welcome home son". His voice was that of a proud father.

"Hey buddy, how was Saudi Arabia?"

Hearing the familiar voice of his best friend, Sam turned to look at him, grinning widely. "Ian!" He called.

They both hugged before Ian threw him the ultimate question. "My guy, hope you didn't come without any gifts from Saudi Arabia". He gave him the 'your money or your life' eye. "Or you better start going back!"

Sam chuckled. "Rest guy, I brought gifts".

Despite being exhausted yesterday after the game, before returning to the hotel with his captain, they both strolled into the streets of Saudi Arabia, getting some non-perishable local food before also shopping in a supermarket.

Sam bought enough snacks for his sister, and enough gifts for his best friend and his parents.

These people were not the only faces that welcomed him though.

Unfamiliar faces also welcomed him. "Welcome home Sam, you're a proud son of Abraka. My son loves to play football too, I hope you show him the way".

"Welcome home superstar!"

"Did you bring goodies from abroad?"

"Hey Sam, you remember me? It's Coach James!"

Hearing that name, Sam's eyes widened as he stared at the slightly familiar face again. "Coach James?"

"Yes man, it's me, how are you doing man?"

"I'm fine!" Sam ignored all the others, walking up to his old coach with a grin on his face. "Coach, how are you doing? What of the team?"

"I'm fine Sam, I'm surviving. About the team though," he grinned. "They're doing great, we played against D'Tigres again and guess what? We thrashed them again". This coach laughed loudly.

Ignoring all the others who welcomed him, Sam walked off with his old coach, they had a lot of things to talk about and catch up on.

Talking with Coach James, Sam felt so much nostalgia.

It was almost Christmas again and last year Christmas was when Coach James gave him the opportunity to play and impress before Coach Yemi Daniel.

It was just 1 year but to Sam, it felt like a lifetime ago.

After doing catchup with his old coach, Sam finally went inside where he feasted on his mom's sweet delicacy, and then, he finally caught up with his dad.

"Dad, any update?"

Mr. Moses grinned. "Oh yes son, there are updates, lots of updates".

It was time to discuss his career.