Rise of a Football God

>Date: 12 May, 2023<

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>Wydad Ac 0-0 Mamelodi Sundowns (Red Card)<

>Date: 13 May, 2023<

…

(Semifinal second leg fixtures:)

>Al Ahly - Enyimba FC<

>Date: 19 May, 2023<

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>Mamelodi Sundowns – Wydad AC<

>Date: 20 May, 2023<

…

After 2 thrillers on back to back days, the result of the first leg of the CAF Champions league was decided. Mamelodi Sundowns got a red card in their game, only settling for a 0-0 draw against Wydad away from home.

The first game was more exciting though. Despite the fact that Enyimba FC could only settle for a draw, the game was incredibly exciting.

After the first leg, exactly 7 days later, the second leg would be played.

After the game, Sam learned something. 'No matter how much you want it, sometimes, playing good alone is not enough to win a game'.

Sam was dead tired after the game having run himself to the ground.

He chipped in with a goal and an assist but his man of the match award was not due to just that. Sam put his all into that game, determined to help his team win at home but in the end, Al Ahly managed to snatch a draw from them.

Sam was disappointed, but his disappointment only made him more motivated. 'What matters is that I played my best game, and that I must improve before the second leg comes'.

90% of Coach Yemi Daniel's training and tactical set-ups in the next few days were targeted at the second leg game, trivializing the league match.

Enyimba FC ended up losing the league match but no one really paid attention to it, all their sights were on the CAF champions league return leg game.

Diligently, 2 midfielders trained during this time, refusing to give in to fatigue or laziness. Sam truly exceeded his limit in training alongside Austin this time.

If they were to stand a chance at beating Al Ahly away from home, they needed a miracle and this time, both were determined to be the miracle.

Both midfielders motivated each other to train like hell.

And like this, the days moved swiftly like the rolling pages of a book and before they knew it, it was the D-day again.

Traveling to Egypt, visiting the Cairo International Stadium, the Enyimba FC players were subjected to the true horror of a hostile stadium.

The 75,000 capacity stadium was filled to the brim with passionate Al Ahly fans, and at this moment, they roared their team on, suppressing Enyimba FC.

A sight that warmed Sam's heart in this hostile stadium though was the sight of the Enyimba FC fans in the away stands.

Austin was emotional. "This is the first time I'm seeing our fans travel internationally to watch our football game. Sam, we must win!"

Sam nodded seriously. "We will".

After the players arranged themselves across the pitch, the game started.

FWEEEE!

Immediately, Al Ahly exerted their authority as the superior team.

Within the first 5 minutes of the game, they already created 2 chances as they easily breached the Enyimba FC defense and tested Ojo twice but the Enyimba FC goalkeeper was somehow on top of his game despite the palpable tension.

By keeping his team in the game, he gave his outfield players the time to settle and once they did, 2 players exerted their authority in this game.

In this hostile stadium, literally all the Enyimba FC players seemed to have disappeared, except Austin and Sam.

Together in the middle of the pitch, these 2 midfielders felt like warriors stuck in enemy territory but with their back against each other's, with full trust in each other's support, they fought valiantly.

Their valiant fight could only take them so far though.

In the 21st minute of the game, Al Ahly stung like a bee as after a well-executed corner routine helped by some poor defending from the Enyimba FC backline, the ball ended up in the back of the Enyimba FC net.

"F*ck!" Sam screamed and slammed his fists against the pitch as he watched the Al Ahly players whirl off away in celebration.

The captain, Austin was just as furious as him. "What the hell guys!" Austin roared at his teammates. "How can you switch off in a game like this?!"

"We're playing Al Ahly for God's sake!"

"This is the CAF champions league semi-final, we can't afford to switch off in a game like this!" He clapped his palms aggressively. "Come on guys!"

"Come on, believe! We can do it!"

FWEEEE!

Once the game restarted, Al Ahly won back possession and reasserted their authority but Enyimba FC held their nerves, playing as a team and defending valiantly as a unit.

Al Ahly kept on knocking for 45 minutes but Enyimba FC stayed tight and defensively disciplined, and then, they had their first shot on target of the game.

Al Ahly almost doubled their lead only for the ball to rattle off the crossbar.

Pouncing on the loose ball deep in his half, Sam scanned his surroundings with his spatial awareness before evading a challenge.

Immediately after, he raised his head and saw the Al Ahly goalkeeper slightly off his lines.

"…!" Sam's instincts tingled!

He felt a deep sense of déjà vu, this was it!

He had been in this situation before, not once, not twice, he recognized it.

Sam raised his leg to shoot but an Al Ahly player blocked him. Instead of dribbling, he passed the ball to the right. Austin was there.

The ball barely moved when another pass was made, one-two…, Austin hit the ball right back to Sam.

Having seen the Al Ahly goalkeeper's positioning already, Sam did not even think, hitting the ball first-time with a ferocious shot.

BAM!

The ball rose into the air like a missile, dipped as the Al Ahly goalkeeper retreated, before dipping into an empty net, in the 45th plus 4 minute of the first half, literally the last minute.

"GOALLLL…!" Sam jumped, roaring as he pumped a fist defiantly at the Al Ahly fans that had been trying to get into his head since.

The fiery Al Ahly fans responded with a chorus of boos but Sam didn't care, he already got his first revenge.

The first half ended 1-1.

The game was tight.