Rise of a Football God

Sam smiled, breathing heavily as he wiped the sweat of his face. "I don\'t like to think much on my performance, I rather think about the team\'s performance and personally, I think this is our best performance of the season so far".

"In such a storied stadium, against such a legendary team, and given what was at stake, I\'d say the team performed at a truly elite level today. We deserved every inch of what we\'re enjoying, the victory". He grinned.

"Ah! Before I forget," he smiled mischievously at the camera. "Ojo, thanks for the penalty scored and saved, you saved our asses out there today man. I\'ll force the captain to buy you something special". He chuckled.

"So, Sam, what do you think about the final? Do you think your team stands a chance of going all the way and beating the final-placed team to win the CAF champions league trophy this year?"

"Definitely, I do". Sam nodded seriously. "No matter who we face in the final, just like we gave our best today, I believe that we\'ll give our best again, and God willing, we will win the trophy".

"That\'s a nice sentiment". The female reporter smiled. "What about the Al Ahly fans? I can\'t help but notice you riling them up multiple times in the game".

Hearing that, Sam scratched his hair awkwardly. "Oh, that," he chuckled. "Honestly, I didn\'t do it with any bad intentions in mind, it was just in the heat and moment of the game".

He looked at the camera. "I hope you guys are not too offended, I just wanted my team to win by all means".

The reporter smiled. "Well, they\'ll definitely hear your apology now after you said it. Anyways, Sam thanks for having me again, do have a nice day".

"You too ma\'am". And with that, Sam walked off.

A few minutes later, leaving the Cairo International Stadium alongside his teammates, Sam was shocked as they met fans wearing the Enyimba FC home jersey standing outside waiting for them.

"Sam, an autograph please!"

"Sam, I want an autograph please!"

"Sam, please a picture!"

"I came all the way from Delta State to see you!"

"Austin, please, an autograph!"

\'Damn!\' This was the first thought that Sam had as he subtly inclined his head to look at his captain, looking for directions.

"What?" Austin shrugged. "Don\'t look at me, this is my first time witnessing something like this too".

"Fans have never asked for my autograph before now too!"

"So, what will I do?" Sam hissed?

Austin chuckled. "Chill out man. Just go meet them, make sure to put a smile on your face, write anything you want on their jersey".

"Ah! Not anything," he smiled. "Write your name on their jersey, just Sam, Sam is good".

Austin was already walking ahead towards the fan who demanded from him as with a big smile on his face, he took the girl\'s pen before scribbling away on her jersey. Watching him do it, Sam was stunned. \'Is this really his first time?\'

He felt tensed but he was able to ignore it somehow, maybe it was because he was so exhausted but he walked up to the fans with a smile on his face.

"Hey!" Greeting, he took their jersey and their pen before scribbling, writing Sam in the most stylish way that his creative senses could come up with.

Once he scribbled on the jersey of the first fan, a girl, she shrieked excitedly while hugging her friend. "Yeahhhh!"

Sam felt weird. \'Is this how it feels to become a star?\'

\'Am I becoming a star?\'

They mostly asked for only Austin and Sam and by the time both of them finished signing and taking pictures, almost all their teammates were already inside the bus. They joined their teammates soon after and the bus finally moved.

Right there in the bus, a certain player\'s family did not allow him to get home and settle down first before the call came.

(Incoming call from Best Mom…)

As soon as Sam picked up the call, he hid his phone closer to his ear and hissed. "Mom, I\'m still on the bus!"

They were having none of it though. "CONGRATULATIONS…!" Came the voice, so loud that Sam flinched away from his phone.

Besides him, Austin chuckled. "It\'s your mom right?" He smiled at him.

"F*ck!" Sam cursed before putting the phone closer to his ear. "Mom, please, I\'m in the bus!"

"Congratulations son, I can\'t believe you finally did it…!"

"Congratulations Sam, make sure you buy me something from Egypt!"

"Congratulations son, you made it to a major final in your first season as a professional footballer, you truly are made for the top! I\'m so proud!"

"Dad, mom, Sophia, listen to me…"

"When are you coming back? I can\'t wait to see you to celebrate this more personally. Don\'t worry, I\'ll make your favorite soup for you, I promise!"

"Mom…"

"Is it Egusi you want? Owho soup and starch? Ogbono? Or is it Banga soup?"

Sam palmed his face. "Mom…!" He complained.

Beside him, Austin just kept on chuckling, Sam glared at him. "But mom…!"

"Congratulations son!" Mr. Moses\' voice interjected again. "You just gave me infinite bragging rights in front of my friends!"

"Their father!" Mr. Moses laughed loudly. "Their son no reach!" He spoke pidgin, his voice reeking with excitement and pride.

"My son is a star!" He shouted.

By now, all the Enyimba FC fans in the bus were already looking at Sam weirdly, including Olisema who had a complicated look in his eyes.

Sam felt embarrassed. \'F*ck, f*ck, f*ck…!\' He cursed repeatedly in his mind.

In the end, Mrs. Moses only ended the call when the bus was already close to the team\'s hotel room in Egypt.

And with that, the players came down and went into their hotel rooms.

All of them were exhausted and needed rest after such an intense game. And just like Sam, they also wanted to celebrate their victory with their family and friends too.

Entering his hotel room alongside his captain, no longer embarrassed, Sam finally put a call back to his family. This time, it was a video call.

The night was going to be long.

They spoke for a long time.