Rise of a Football God

Facing the male reporter, Sam took a deep breath. "First, I will like to say that Austin is the beating heart of our team and we will surely feel his absence".

"As for if we will be able to survive without our captain," he scratched his hair. "Honestly, I don't know, I'm no seer but all I can say is that we're determined to make up for his absence and make him proud in the hospital".

"That is what he would want".

"On the pitch, while he was stretchered off, he told me that we needed to win. Well, we won thanks to his blessings".

"We hope to do the same and win in his absence".

"The team is determined to win the league title for him".

"Ok Sam, so who do you think will now take the captain's armband after Austin's injury? Farouk? Or maybe Ojo, they're all old and experienced players".

Sam shook his head. "It's not my place to worry about who will lead the team as the captain, that's the coach's duty. My duty is to play football".

"Ok Sam, thanks for having me, I wish you and your team success in your quest to win the league title again".

"Thanks".

That evening, after they met up in the hotel where they lodged, Coach Yemi Danial gathered his players before making an important announcement.

"After a lot of thinking, I've arrived at a decision".

"As the vice-captain, originally, Farouk is supposed to lead the team next as the captain but I value morale a lot on the pitch".

"I love my captains to lead more by example than being vocal".

"I spoke with Farouk and he already agreed". Coach Yemi Daniel looked round at his players. "For the rest of the season, I've decided to give Sam the captain's armband in Austin's absence".

"But this is just his first season!" Olisema complained immediately. "It's not fair to the other players who've stayed in the team longer".

Coach Yemi Daniel was not having it though. "My decision is final".

In actuality, Olisema was the only player who was truly against it, the other players either didn't care or were in full support of it.

When the news was confirmed to the media, it created a storm, putting the spotlight on Enyimba FC as for some time, they forgot about Austin's injury, focusing on Sam's captainship instead.

Captaining a club as storied as Enyimba FC at just 17 was immense. Sam felt the pressure weighing down on him, but he didn't buckle due to it.

Most importantly, Austin encouraged him from the hospital.

In 2 days' time, Sam already accepted his leadership role fully and when he stepped foot on the pitch again against Sunshine Stars, he took charge.

With Austin injured, it was clear that Sunshine Stars came with ideas, playing bold and attacking football against Enyimba FC and for the first half, they succeeded as they mostly dominated possession.

Despite the combative display from both teams, playing 5 games in 9 days was no easy feat, the players showed clear signs of lethargy and fatigue.

The first half ended in a goalless draw.

In the second half though, while the players of both teams played even more lethargically due to fatigue, one player shone brightly above all the others, Samuel Moses again.

Knowing that the game would be tough and also acknowledging that he was not physically at 100%, this was the reason why he used 1 of the physical conditioning elixirs that he had in his inventory for this game.

In the second half, as the others succumbed to the fatigue, he thrived.

Sam terrorized the Sunshine Stars' defense in the second half, assisting the first goal in the 54th minute and scoring 2 goals in quick succession in the 73rd and 75th minute successively to give Enyimba FC a decisive victory.

Sunshine Stars scored a late goal but by then, it was just a consolation goal.

The game ended 1-3 in Enyimba FC's favor and with the victory, they firmly stood at the top of the playoff rankings with 9 points in 4 games.

And considering that it was the highest-scoring game of the playoffs so far, the critics who took jabs at Enyimba FC, predicting their fall with Austin Oladapo's absence and the rash decision to make Sam captain all grew silent.

Sam convinced, leading by example in his first game as captain.

The full matchday 4 results were soon ready.

(Matchday 4:)

>Remo Stars 1-0 Rivers United<

>Date: 20th June, 2023<

…

>Sunshine Stars 1-3 Enyimba<

>Date: 20th June, 2023<

…

>Bendel Insurance 0-0 Lobi Stars<

>Date: 20th June, 2023<

Considering that the nearest club to them in the rankings were Lobi Stars and Remo Stars with 5 points each, with 9 points, Enyimba FC already won the league title but the 5th game of the playoffs still had to be played.

In their hotel, the players already celebrated their league victory as they made a video call, making sure that their captain, Austin joined in from the hospital.

After that, they resumed preparations for their last game of the Super 6 playoffs that would take place in 2 days against Remo Stars.

That night, very late before sleeping, Sam called his mom.

Having watched the game today alongside the rest of her family, Mrs. Moses was concerned to see her son's call that late when usually, he was supposed to be long asleep already to wake up fresh for the new day.

"Hey Sam, are you ok?"

His mom was fiery but there were times when she was sensitive too, and this night was one of those times. Hearing her calm voice, Sam took a deep breath.

"I'm good, I just feel very exhausted". He sighed.

"It's so exhausting to live like this. It's almost like I don't have a life of my own, every day, it's just football, media, and fans, nothing else".

"I'm beginning to feel suffocated".

"I feel like I'm in a moving train and I can't afford to stop. You know, if I stop, I lose grasp of my dreams. I want to hold on but it's proving so hard".

Mrs. Moses sat up on her bed. "Son, listen to me. I'm very proud of everything you've achieved so far, but in the end, your happiness comes first".

"If you feel you can't continue, I'm here for you, just say the word and I'll be in Abia State tomorrow morning".

"Don't be scared of that coach of yours, he's a few years too young to stop me from helping my son!"

"If he's overworking you, tell me, I'll call him now!"

Hearing her voice start to rise, Sam was not irked, rather, he smiled. 'Typical mom,' he thought.

He chuckled. "Mom, it's fine, just promise that you'll always support me no matter what happens".

"You know I will".

"Promise". He insisted.

"I promise".

"Thank you, mom, I love you".

"I love you too".

That night, Sam slept feeling like a huge burden just left his chest.

He was ready to face his career again.