Rise of a Football God

FWEEE!

The referee's whistle blasted loudly, briefly cutting through the noise that drowned this stadium.

Victor Osimhen, the Nigeran striker was the one who was tripped just outside the Benin Republic 18-yard box, winning the freekick in a dangerous position.

In the Nigerian squad, for a long time now, they didn't have a dangerous dead ball specialist which meant Sam had no significant challenge for the role.

Besides, having scored freekicks a few times while playing for Fulham and in training already, the Nigerian head coach, Eric Chelle already passed on the freekick taking responsibility to the young prodigy.

This was why as soon as Victor Osimhen won the penalty, he rose up, bumped fists with his nearest teammates before picking the ball and throwing it to Sam.

Sam caught the ball, grinning at him.

And then, placing the ball down on the position where the referee indicated, Sam got ready to take the freekick even as Benin Republic set up their wall.

"It's Sam standing over the ball," the commentators said. "Does he have more magic to pull in this game?"@@novelbin@@

"He's been absolutely electric today".

"After leading Nigeria halfway through their qualification journey by his injury time heroics against Lesotho, he's done it again today against Benin Republic, in front of home fans".

"If they never knew him before, after this game, I'm pretty sure that no Nigerian would not know the name Samuel Moses".

"Even the little kids on the streets, they'll all know him after today".

"1 goal and 1 assist, Sam has provided the world with another vintage Sam masterpiece performance and it's not even just about the numbers".

"My God, he was given the eye test and boy did he pass it with flying colors!"

"The silky dribbling, the composure, the endless running, flexing his stamina, this boy is just made for the very top!"

"FC Barcelona signed a quality, quality player".

"When the Catalan club pulled out all stops to fork out 80 million Euros for his signature despite still being deep in dept, a lot of people thought they were crazy but after this game, I think I finally see what the Catalan club saw".

"Sam is worth every single penny that Barca paid for him".

"He is worth the hype".

"Can he create another album in the Sam collection? Another unforgettable moment in the memories of Nigerian supporters worldwide".

While the commentators raved on, all of it was already abstracted out of Sam's head as the only thing that remained in his mind was himself, the ball, the wall of opposition players, the goalkeeper, and the net.

Bzzz!

He was already in that zone state where his brain was moving on overdrive again, filled with rampaging electrons, evident of his excited state.

The only skill that Sam had at the Perfection mastery level was his freekick technique. When it came to taking freekicks, he was absolutely confident.

It was just that he was yet to encounter a freekick in an FC Barcelona jersey.

But now, he did, in a Nigerian jersey.

FWEEE!

As soon as the referee's whistle sounded again, giving the go ahead, Sam took a deep breath before going on a practiced angled run. After a short run, bending his body, he swung his right leg and wrapped it around the ball, and…

Bam!

Sam hit the ball with perfect technique, sending it curling just beyond the reach of the wall of Benin Republic players, and straight towards the net.

Reacting, the Benin Republic goalkeeper took a step and dived.

The goalkeeper's hand grazed the ball but the force was not enough to stop the momentum that carried the ball. The ball snuck through, into the top right corner and immediately, this stadium erupted again.

BOOM!

The fans in green and white erupted in ecstasy.

"AND HE'S DONE IT!" The commentator screamed.

"What a perfect freekick it was!"

"Hit with optimum technique and confidence, executed with the swagger of a veteran, or should I say swagger of a prodigy?"

"This boy…, he's too good!"

"He's just too good, too good to be true!"

While the commentators raved, while the fans roared in ecstasy, the person in question charged towards the corner flag in celebration.

Sam slid on his knees even as the fans chanted his name again.

"Sam!" "Sam!" "Sam!"

His teammates slid after him in celebration.

When he finally rose back up on the pitch, he did the Jude Bellingham celebration, spreading his arms and acknowledging the respect of the fans.

This moment… was iconic.

Nigeria supporters would not forget it in a hurry.

"What a bond he already has with the fans!" The commentators continued.

"He's just 19 but plays with the swagger and confidence of a 29-year-old, he's far more mature than his age suggests".

"Singlehandedly, he's rescued the fate of a nation".

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"He's rescued the Giant of Africa!"

"They prayed for miracles, God answered in the form of Samuel Moses".

"With the way things are currently poised, Nigeria are on their way to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in U.S.A and Canada!"

"What a turnaround!"

"Just 1 match ago, it seemed like Nigeria was doomed to miss qualification and just one change, Samuel Moses, and the tides have changed".

"This boy…, he is a changing star, he is Changing Star!"

The referee's whistle sounded to continue the game and Sam showed the home supporters that he still had much more to give even at 4-0, even after the 74th minute, even after the Benin Republic players already gave up.

Sam showed that he still wanted more even after his teammates already relaxed, accepting that they've already won.

Even as the level and intensity of this game reduced after 4-0, Sam remained the one constant that kept on being a thorn in Benin Republic's side.

He kept on torturing the living hells out of them with his silky dribbling skills.

Not satisfied yet, in the 88th minute, Sam did it one more time, adding the final nail to the coffin as exchanging one-two passes with Moses Simon, he dribbled towards the right where he floated a dangerous cross into the box.

Rising highest above every other player, the incredible Victor Osimhen got to the ball first, eager to get his name on the scoresheet.

BAM!

The striker directed a powerful header in.

The goalkeeper stood no chance. He could only watch agonizingly as the ball floated past him and into the top left corner of his net.

"GOALLLLLLL…!!!"

The Moshood Abiola stadium erupted again.

The Nigerian supporters were having the time of their lives.

88 minutes, 5-0 to the Giant of Africa…

Benin Republic were not just beaten, they were humiliated but to save some face for themselves, in injury time, they briefly came alive, playing an incredible team play that enabled them cut through the now complacent Nigerian defense.

They managed to score a consolation goal past Stanley Nwabali, managing to reduce the humiliation.

When the final whistle finally reverberated, the Benin Republic players collectively heaved sighs of relief.

Every additional minute to the game was torture to them.

After the final whistle, while wild celebrations by the Nigerian fans and players started right there on the pitch, the Benin Republic players went straight to their dressing rooms, eager to move away from the spotlight.

It was too humiliating to stay in the spotlight after such a humbling loss.

For the 2nd straight game for Nigeria, Sam won the man of the match award so of course, he attended the post-match interview again.

"Sam, you're a man of your words, you actually kept to your words and did it, leading Nigeria to the FIFA World Cup 2026".

"Congratulations Sam, you are amazing!"

Sam smiled bashfully. "Thanks, my teammates helped a lot. Alone, I would have never been able to do it and for that, I'm grateful to them".

"You're too humble," the reporter smiled. "By the way, Sam, after today's performance, you've truly ramped your numbers for the season up".

"Really?"

"Yeah," the reporter nodded, smiling. "For the season, that takes your tally to 8 goals and 4 assists in just 7 games, 12 goal contributions!" The reporter raved.

"You are on a whole other level Sam!"

Sam chuckled, not knowing what to say.

"Internationally, it also makes for impressive reading. After today's game, your international stats are now 3 goals and 2 assists in 4 games".

"If you keep this up, the thought of just what you may potentially achieve in the future as your career grows frightens the living hell out of me". The reporter chuckled.

"I hope to live up to your billing". Sam smiled.

"Another thing Sam," the reporter looked at him. "There's a post that's been garnering attention on social media".

"It's about your ex".

Sam raised his eyebrows. "My ex?"

"Yes, Amaka, your ex". The reporter carefully scrutinized his expression. "After winning the case against her in Spain, her life has been ruined".

"Right now, she's 21, a 4 years sentence means she'll only come out when she's already 25".

"Her life becoming static for 4 years, don't you think that's too harsh?"

"A fan group online are making appeals to you; they want you to speak up for her and help her get a pardon".

"Why?" Sam suddenly asked.

"Huh?"

His eyes now sharp, Sam looked at the reporter. "If she wanted a pardon, she should not have tried to ruin my life in the first place".

"I'm a good person, but I'm no Saint".

"I help those who help me, and I screw those who try to screw me. She tried to screw me up first!" His voice raised up a crescendo.

"Her life is hers, not my business, it no longer concerns me".

"But…"

"Stop it!" Sam interrupted the reporter. "This should be the last time you ask me about this kind of thing".

"Amaka has her life, Samuel Moses has his life".

"There's nothing in common between both of us, learn to maintain that distinction, got it?"

With that, Sam trudged off.

…

Later in the day, major platforms and football news channels around the world finally gave their rating of Sam's performance today.

It was a no-brainer, Sam put out a perfect 10/10 performance.